Exfoliating head with rolling elements

Abstract

A skin treatment head includes treatment head surface; multiple bristles extending from the treatment head surface and defining a virtual edge face circumferentially surrounding the bristles and a virtual top face defining a first height of the bristles; and one or more rotatable elements extending from the treatment head surface and having a second height lower than the first height, such that in order to apply a tangential force to rotate the rotatable elements, the skin treatment head is tilted relative to a skin surface.

Claims

1. A skin treatment head comprising: a treatment head surface; a plurality of bristles extending from the treatment head surface and defining a virtual edge face circumferentially surrounding the plurality of bristles and a virtual top face defining a first height of the bristles; and one or more rotatable elements extending from the treatment head surface and having a second height lower than the first height, such that in order to apply a tangential force to rotate the one or more rotatable elements, the skin treatment head is tilted relative to a skin surface, wherein the one or more rotatable elements are arranged oblique to the treatment head surface.

2. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more rotatable elements has a generally cylindrical shape.

3. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, wherein the one or more rotatable elements have surfaces that extend at least partly beyond the virtual edge face.

4. The skin treatment head according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the one or more rotatable elements has a second height (h2) relative to the treatment head surface, wherein said second height (h2) is in a range of 60-95% of the first height (h1) of the bristles, and wherein the at least one of the one or more rotatable elements extends with a first length (l1) beyond the virtual edge face, and wherein the first length (l1) is selected from a range of 5-50% of a diameter (d1) of the one or more rotatable elements.

5. The skin treatment head according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the one or more rotatable elements have a second height (h2) relative to the treatment head surface, wherein said second height (h2) is in a range of 0.5-3 mm lower than the first height (h1) of the bristles, wherein the at least one of the one or more rotatable elements extends with a first length (l1) beyond the virtual edge face, and wherein the first length (l1) is selected from a range of 0.5-5 mm.

6. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, comprising one or more rotatable element units, wherein each rotatable element unit comprises a socket with at least three fingers for hosting rotatably a rotatable element from the one or more rotatable elements, wherein the hosted rotatable element has a generally spherical shape.

7. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, wherein the one or more rotatable elements have a translational freedom in one or more of (i) a direction parallel and (ii) a direction perpendicular to an axis (A) about which the skin treatment head is configured to at least partly rotate at a range of 0-20% of a diameter (d1) of the one or more rotatable elements.

8. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, wherein the one or more rotatable elements comprise at least three rotatable elements.

9. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, wherein the skin treatment head comprises a first part comprising the plurality of bristles and a second part comprising the one or more rotatable elements, wherein the second part is detachably associated to the first part.

10. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, wherein the treatment head surface is a flat surface or a curved surface.

11. The skin treatment head according to claim 1, wherein the virtual top face is flat or curved based on the first height of the bristles.

12. A skin treatment head comprising: a treatment head surface; a plurality of bristles extending from the treatment head surface and defining a virtual edge face circumferentially surrounding the plurality of bristles and a virtual top face defining a first height of the bristles; and one or more rotatable elements extending from the treatment head surface and having a second height lower than the first height, such that in order to apply a tangential force to rotate the one or more rotatable elements, the skin treatment head is tilted relative to a skin surface, wherein the one or more rotatable elements have surfaces that do not extend beyond the virtual edge face.

13. The skin treatment head according to claim 12, wherein the one or more rotatable elements are configured at a distance (d1) from the virtual edge face at a range of 0-100% of a diameter (d2) of the one or more rotatable elements.

14. A body care device for treating a skin, the body care device comprising: a housing; and a skin treatment head associated with the housing, the skin treatment head comprising: a treatment head surface; a plurality of bristles extending from the treatment head surface and defining a virtual edge face circumferentially surrounding the plurality of bristles and a virtual top face defining a first height of the bristles; and one or more rotatable elements extending from the treatment head surface and having a second height lower than the first height, such that in order to apply a tangential force to rotate the one or more rotatable elements, the skin treatment head is tilted relative to a skin surface, wherein the skin treatment head is at least partly rotatable about an axis (A), and wherein the one or more rotatable elements are configured to rotate about a rotation axis (A2) that forms a mutual angle (a) with the axis (A), such that the mutual angle is 5-60°.

15. The body care device according to claim 14, wherein the skin treatment head is fully rotatable about the axis (A).

16. The body care device according to claim 14, wherein the body care device is a handheld device.

17. The body care device according to claim 16, further comprising an actuator configured to rotate the skin treatment head and a power source arranged within the housing.

18. The body care device according to claim 14, wherein the skin treatment head being at least partly rotatable about the axis (A) comprises oscillating over a rotation angle of 5-30°.

19. The body care device according to claim 14, wherein the one or more rotatable elements of the skin treatment head have a translational freedom in at least one of a direction parallel or a direction perpendicular to the axis (A) about which the skin treatment head is at least partly rotatable.

20. The body care device according to claim 19, wherein the translational freedom is a maximum of 20% of a diameter of the one or more rotatable elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 1a schematically depict an embodiment of the body care device; and

(3) FIGS. 2a-2d schematically depict some embodiments and variants of the treatment head.

(4) The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIGS. 1 and 1a schematically depict an embodiment of the device, indicated with reference 1, especially for use in cleansing the skin, such as the skin of a face. Here, the device 1, 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 about an axis A, also referred to herein as the head rotation(al) axis A. Herein “rotate” may relate to completely rotate, i.e. allowing multiple consecutive rotations of 360°, also referred herein as a continuous rotation. Rotate may also relate to rotating movements of less than 360°, such as oscillating over a rotation angle (about the head rotation(al) axis A) of e.g. less than 90°. Further, the housing includes in this embodiment a rechargeable battery 321. Yet further, the housing 100 may comprise one or more LED indicators 323 and a user interface 324. Further, the housing may include a means 322 for receiving electrical power for charging the battery, such as a socket known in the art.

(6) In embodiments, the skin treatment head 200 may detachable be associated to the housing (100).

(7) The actuator 110 is especially configured to rotate the skin treatment head 200 about the head rotation axis A. This axis may be parallel, but is not necessary parallel to a body axis of the device.

(8) The skin treatment head 200 comprises a plurality of bristles 211 associated with the treatment head 200. The bristles 211 may be configured in tufts. The bristles 211 may also be configured as single bristles 211. Reference 201 indicates a treatment head surface. The bristles 211 extend from this surface 201. The bristles 211 define a virtual top face 232. In some embodiments, the top face 232 may also comprise a plurality of top faces, see e.g. FIG. 2b, schematically depicting two top faces 232 (and 232′). The top face 232 again defines a first height h1 of the bristles 211, see the zoomed in aspects in FIG. 1a. Especially, the height h1 of the bristles is relative to the treatment head surface 201. The bristles 211 also define a virtual edge face 231 surrounding, especially circumferentially surrounding, the plurality of bristles 211. Especially, these faces 231, 232 are defined when the bristles are not stressed, such as not pressed against a (skin) surface. The bristles 211 are shown in a non-stressed state.

(9) In general, the treatment head 200 will have a circular cross-section.

(10) The treatment head 200 further comprises a rotatable element 240. The rotatable element 240 is configured to rotate when a force in a tangential direction (with respect to a rotatable element surface 241) is applied to the rotatable element surface 241. When being used, the treatment head 200 may not be optimally placed at a skin surface, and the rotatable element 241 may contact the skin surface. At such a moment a force in a tangentially direction may be applied to the rotatable element surface 241 and the rotatable element 240 may rotate. At the same moment, the person being treated with the body care device 1 may be provided by a tactile feedback because of contact with the rotatable element 240, allowing the person to reposition the treatment head 200 optimally. If a treatment head 200 is positioned optimally, the rotatable element surface 241 is configured not to touch the skin. Therefore, the rotatable element surface 241 especially is configured lower than the (adjacent) top face 232. Especially, the second height h2 of the rotatable element 240 relative to the skin treatment head surface 201 is selected lower than the first height h1 of the adjacent bristles 211. Further, the rotatable element surface 241 may at least partly extend beyond the edge face 231. In other embodiments, the rotatable element 240 does not extend beyond the edge face and is configured within (the part defined by) the edge face 213, see FIG. 2b

(11) The skin treatment head 200 may comprises only one rotatable element 240. The skin treatment head 200 may also comprises two rotatable elements 240. Especially, the skin treatment head comprises at least three rotatable elements 240. In embodiments at least one of the rotatable elements 240 comprises a spherical shape having a diameter d1. In further embodiments, at least one of the rotatable elements 240 comprises a cylindrical shape having a diameter (or a width) d1. Especially the rotatable element comprises a spherical shape or a cylindrical shape. In further embodiments, the rotatable element may comprise yet another shape.

(12) Especially, the skin treatment head 200 is configured to be stiff with respect to the rotatable element(s) 240. The rotatable element(s) 240 may have a translational freedom in one or more of a direction parallel and a direction perpendicular to the axis A about which the skin treatment head 200 is configured to at least partly rotate. In embodiments said translational freedom is selected from the range of 0-20% of the diameter d1.

(13) FIG. 1a shows a zoomed in aspect of a rotatable element 240 configured partly extending beyond the edge face 231. Herein, reference l1 relates to the length the rotatable elements 240 extend beyond the edge face 231. This first length l1 may especially be selected from the range of 0.5-5 mm. In embodiments, the first length l1 is selected from the range of 5-50% of the diameter d1 of one or more of said rotatable elements 240. In embodiments the rotatable element 240 is configured completely outside of the virtual edge face 231 and the first length l1 is selected to be larger than d1. In such embodiments, l1 is especially at maximum twice the diameter d1.

(14) FIG. 2a schematically depicts an embodiment of the treatment head 200 in cross-sectional view. The edge face 231 circumferentially surrounds the bristles 211. Especially because of the symmetry, the axis of rotation A intersects the skin treatment head 200 at the center C of the skin treatment head 200. The figure also shows three rotatable elements 240 extending partly, i.e. over the first length l1, from the edge face 231. Especially (the rotatable element units 250 comprising) the rotatable elements 240 are configured in a symmetrical configuration, such as with a Cn rotation axis with n being the number of rotatable elements, meaning that rotation by an angle of 360°/n does not change the object (with respect to the rotatable elements; the plurality of bristles 211 may be arranged differently). This may be explained by the given embodiment. In this embodiment, wherein the number of rotatable elements 240 is three, symmetry is present about the axis of rotation A (about the center C) for a rotation of 120°, 240° and 360°.

(15) FIG. 2b schematically depicts aspects of a treatment head 200 wherein the treatment head 200 comprises two top faces 232 indicated by 232 and 232′, both defining a first height h1, respectively indicated by h1 and h1′. The figure, further depicts rotatable element units 250 comprising a socket 251, hosting a rotatable element 240. Especially the sockets 251 are configured to host the rotatable elements 240 rotatably. For instance, the socket 251 may comprise a ball socket 253 as depicted at the left hand side. In other embodiments the socket 251 comprises at least three fingers 252 to rotatably hold a rotatable element 240, schematically depicted at the right hand side.

(16) FIG. 2b, further schematically depicts two arrangements of the rotatable elements 240 with respect to the bristles 211. In embodiments, the rotatable elements 240 have a second height h2 relative to the skin treatment head surface 201 in the range of 60-95% of the first height h1 of the adjacent bristles 211. Especially, the second height h2 may be 0.5-3 mm lower than the first height h1 of the bristles 211. As schematically is depicted, when having more than one first height h1, h1′, the relevant first height h1 is the first height of the adjacent bristles 211. Hence, for the depicted embodiment, the relevant first height is indicated by h1, not by h1′ being more remote from the rotatable element 240. Rotatable elements may be arranged completely outside the virtual edge 231, completely inside the virtual edge 231, or partly extending beyond the edge face 231. The rotatable element 240 schematically depicted at the left hand side of the figure is partly extending beyond the edge face 231. At the left hand side a rotatable element 240 is schematically depicted, wherein the rotatable element surfaces 240 do not extend beyond the edge face and are configured at a minimum distance d2 form the edge face 231. Especially d2 is selected from the range of 0-100% of the diameter d1 of the rotatable element 240.

(17) FIG. 2c schematically depicts an aspect of an embodiment of a skin treatment head 200 comprising a rotatable element 240 comprising a cylindrical shape. The rotatable element 240 is rotatably hosted by a socket 251 comprising three fingers 252. In the depicted embodiment, the socket 251 comprises three fingers 252, indicated by a short finger 252 at the right hand side, a long finger 252 enclosing the rotatable element 240 at the top side, and a third finger 252 configured in between. The fingers 252 are only depicted schematically and may in embodiments be configured differently. In the depicted embodiment, said third finger 252 is configured in the middle between the two ends of the rotatable element 240. In other embodiments, said third finger 252 may be configured further towards one of the ends of the rotatable element 240. The longer finger 252 enclosing the rotatable element 240 at the top side may in further embodiments be configured at the right hand side of the rotatable element 240 (further remote from the head rotation axis A), especially wherein the short finger 252 is configured more close to the rotation axis A (at the left hand side in the figure). Such a configuration may, e.g., prevent said long finger 252 from touching a skin when some of the bristles are deformed. In yet other embodiments such rotatable element 240 may be hosted by only two fingers 252, such as one finger 252 at each end of the cylindrical shaped rotatable element 240.

(18) The rotatable element 240, especially the cylindrical rotatable element 240 may rotate about a second rotation axis A2. Especially the second rotation axis A2 and the head rotation axis A have a mutual angle α. In embodiments, the mutual angle α is selected from the range of 5-135°. In further embodiments, the mutual angle α is selected from the range of 5-90°, such as 5-60°, especially 5-45°. In yet other embodiments, the mutual angle is selected from the range of 30-60°.

(19) FIGS. 2b and 2d schematically depict some further aspects of embodiments of the body care device 1 and the skin treatment heat 200. Both figures schematically depicting a first part 261 of the skin treatment head 200 comprising the plurality of bristles 211, and a second part 262 of the skin treatment head 200 comprising the rotatable elements 240. Especially such embodiment allows changing the rotatable elements 240 independently from the bristles 211. In FIG. 2b an embodiment is depicted wherein the second part 262 is detachable associated to the first part 261, and wherein the assembly of the first part 261 and second part 261 may be associated with e.g. a shaft 101 of the housing 100. FIG. 2d schematically depicts an embodiment wherein the first and second part 261, 262 may separately be associated with the body 100, such as via the shaft 101, especially subsequently providing the skin treatment head 200. In other embodiments the first and the second part 261, 262 are configured to first associate the first part 261 with the body 100 and next to associate the second part 262 with the body 100 and providing the skin treatment head 200.

(20) Embodiments described herein may especially include a centrosymmetric arrangement of the bristles 211 and the rotatable elements 240, see e.g. FIG. 2a, but also FIGS. 1, 2c, and 2d may refer to such embodiments. In FIG. 2b radially less distant bristles 211 have a larger height (than radially more distant bristles), whereas in other embodiments radially more distant bristles have a smaller height (than radially less distant bristles). The bristles 211 closest to the edge face 231 are configured radially most distant (from the center C).

(21) With reference to amongst others FIGS. 2a-2d it is noted that the rotatable element may be within the boundary of the edge face, at this boundary, or even beyond this boundary. Further, as can be seen, the axis of rotation A of (also) the treatment head may be configured perpendicular to at least part of the skin treatment head surface 201.

(22) 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”.

(23) Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

(24) 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.

(25) 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.

(26) 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.

(27) 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.