Hand-held device for electrically powered skin treatment

Abstract

A hand-held device for electrically powered skin treatment includes a housing which is adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user, a first outer electrode which is adapted to be in contact with the hand of the user when the device is held in the hand of the user for use, a second outer electrode disposed on a side of the housing where the second outer electrode is placeable on an area of skin to be treated, and an electrically operated vibrator where the electrically operated vibrator is fixed by a socket on a side wall of the housing and is adapted to vibrate the side wall together with the second outer electrode when operated so that during operation of the device, the device produces an intensified massaging effect on the area of skin to be treated.

Claims

1. A hand-held device for electrically powered skin treatment, comprising: a housing (41) which is adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user; a first outer electrode (7) which is adapted to be in contact with the hand of the user when the device is held in the hand of the user for use, wherein the first outer electrode (7) is disposed on the housing (41); a second outer electrode (20) disposed on a side of the housing and wherein the second outer electrode is placeable on an area of skin to be treated; an electrical energy source, wherein poles of the electrical energy source are electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes (7, 20) during operation of the device and wherein the electrical energy source is disposed in the housing (41); and an electrically operated vibrator (15), wherein the electrically operated vibrator (15) is fixed by a socket on a side wall of the housing (41) and is adapted to vibrate the side wall of the housing (41) together with the second outer electrode (20) when operated so that during operation of the device, the device produces an intensified massaging effect on the area of skin to be treated, whereby pores of the skin are widened; wherein the housing (41) is a shallow housing having an underside formed by a lower wall of the housing and an upper side; wherein the second outer electrode (20) is disposed on the underside of the housing and extends along almost an entire length of the underside; wherein the first outer electrode (7) is disposed peripherally on an outer edge of the upper side of the housing (41); and wherein a display (6) and a button (5) for selecting a treatment program are disposed on the upper side.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electrically operated vibrator (15) comprises an electric motor (16) and a cam (17) fastened to a shaft of the electric motor.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching device disposed in the housing (41), wherein the switching device is adjustable by the user and provides a respective electrical connection between the electrical energy source and the first outer electrode (7) and the second outer electrode (20), and wherein the electrically operated vibrator (15) is connected to the electrical energy source by the switching device.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the switching device has an electronic memory, wherein parameters of operating states to be selected are stored in the electronic memory, wherein the parameters are selectable by the user by the button (5), and wherein the electrically operated vibrator (15) operates independently of a polarity of an applied voltage.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a current detecting device, wherein the current detecting device detects a current flow through the second outer electrode, a switch in a connection of a drive of the electrically operated vibrator, and a control device, wherein the control device controls the switch such that the switch is only closed when a current flows through the second outer electrode.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy source is rechargeable batteries, wherein the rechargeable batteries are disposed in a compartment (72), wherein the compartment is covered by a shell-like housing cover (75) whose outside forms a section of an exterior area of the housing (41), wherein the compartment is covered by a removable compartment cover (77) whose inner side is directed toward the batteries (73) and on whose outer side there is disposed a connector socket with at least two poles, and wherein the compartment cover (77) is disposed within the housing cover (75).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the connector socket is a USB connector socket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 a, b, c show views of a device according to the invention, whereby a rounded structure is provided as a cap,

(2) FIG. 2 a, b, c show different cap designs for use with the device according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 3 shows the cross-section of a cap design which is particularly suitable for operation with a vibrator,

(4) FIG. 4 shows a motor having a cam,

(5) FIG. 5 a, b show an arrangement of contact elements for producing an electrical contact between the base and the cap,

(6) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a latching catch,

(7) FIG. 7 shows an electrical circuit for operating the device,

(8) FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention,

(9) FIG. 9 shows an alternative arrangement of the vibrator,

(10) FIG. 10 shows two exterior views (a front view and a lateral view) of a device for skin treatment according to the invention, with said device comprising a hand-held base and a cap with a platform, which forms an electrode, for placement onto the skin,

(11) FIG. 11 shows a perspective and transparent view of the cap, with a bottom and a vibrator held to the bottom being shown in the interior of the cap,

(12) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the cap with the vibrator,

(13) FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section of the cap with the vibrator,

(14) FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section (perpendicular to the longitudinal section of FIG. 13) of the cap with the vibrator and the upper part of the base,

(15) FIG. 15 shows a section of the battery compartment of the device, and

(16) FIG. 16 shows a circuit for controlling a vibrator motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(17) Reference is first made to FIG. 1. As shown in the three views in FIG. 1, the device 1 according to the invention is approximately as large as the palm of a hand and has a flat, rectangular design. It comprises a base 2 and a cap 3 fitted thereon. A compartment 4 for accommodating batteries, which in this exemplary embodiment serve as the energy source to operate the device 1, is located at the lower, short end of the base 2.

(18) The exchangeable cap 3 is fitted on the opposite, upper short end of the base 2, this end being narrower than the lower end. A button 5 for selecting a treatment program is arranged on the front side of the base 2, the selected treatment program being shown on a display 6 positioned there above. A first electrode 7 having a large surface area is located on the rear side and, above this, a press key 8 for actuating a catch, by means of which the cap 3 is held on the base 2.

(19) Different cap designs are illustrated in FIG. 2 in longitudinal section. FIG. 2a shows the cap 3 already illustrated in FIG. 1, this cap having a rounded upper edge.

(20) The cap 3a according to FIG. 2b has a comb-like structure and is therefore particularly suitable for treating the scalp. FIG. 2c shows a cap 3b having an undulating edge, whereby it is possible to intensify the pressure on the skin at certain points so that a massaging effect is produced on the skin when the cap 3b is moved back and forth.

(21) A further cap 9 is illustrated in cross-section in accordance with FIG. 3 and illustrates a modification of the cap 3 according to FIG. 2a. Two tongues 10, 11 are formed on the upper edge of the cap 9 and together form a platform 13 which is inclined to the base 12 of the cap 9. The upper face of the platform 13 forms a continuous surface which can be placed on the skin and is provided with ribs 14.

(22) This design is particularly suitable for connection to a vibrator 15. This is either fixed preferably in the acute angle between one tongue 11 and the base 12 of the cap 9 (dot-dash line), or in the head of the base 12 of the cap 9 (solid line). Placement in one of the tongues 10, 11 is also conceivable.

(23) In the simplest case, according to FIG. 4, the vibrator 15 comprises an electric motor 16, a cam 17 being fixed to the shaft of said electric motor. The shaft can be oriented in relation to the device in any manner. An orientation parallel to the upper edge of the cap 9 is possible, for example.

(24) In FIG. 9, a further possible arrangement of the electric motor 16 of the vibrator 15 is shown. The base 12 of the cap 9 comprises a cylindrical recess 32, the axis of which extends in the direction of the platform 13. In this embodiment, the electric motor 16 is arranged coaxial to the axis of the recess 32, whereby the shaft of the electric motor protrudes with the cam 17 into the platform 13. According to this embodiment, the shaft is arranged with the cam 17 vertical to the upper edge of the cap 9 and therefore extends between the lower area of the cap 9, which is plugged onto the base 2, and the upper area of the cap 9, which forms a second outer electrode 20.

(25) As can be seen from FIG. 2a to FIG. 2c, two metal pins 18, 19 are located inside the cap 3, 3a, 3b, whereby one of the pins 18 is electrically connected to the cap 3, and the other pin 19 is insulated with respect to the cap 3, 3a, 3b. The caps 3, 3a, 3b consist of a conductive material or have at least a coating made of a conductive material, this material forming the second electrode 20. The first pin 18 is thus connected to this material, whereas the second pin 19 is insulated with respect thereto.

(26) The cap 9 according to FIG. 3 is similarly provided with pins, although this is not shown.

(27) As can be seen from FIG. 5, two spring-mounted metal counter-pins 21, 22 are fixed on the upper edge of the base 2 and are oriented in line with the pins 18, 19 in the base 2. The counter-pins 21, 22 are each pressed against a stop by a spring 23, 24 arranged in a shoulder 25, so that they protrude slightly beyond the upper edge of the shoulder 25. If the cap 3a, 3b, 3c, 9 is fitted onto the shoulder 25 of the base 2, two closed electrical contacts are thus produced.

(28) As illustrated in FIG. 2, a slot 26 for a catch is located in each of the caps 3a, 3b, 3c. The cap 9 of FIG. 3 is formed accordingly. As shown in FIG. 6, such a catch 27 is located on the end of a lever 28, which is mounted rotatably on the base 2 and of which the outer end is connected to the press key 8 so that the catch 27 is pushed out of the slot 26 when the press key 8 is actuated.

(29) As can be seen from FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, the counter-pins 21, 22 are spring-mounted on the base so that they exert a pressure onto the pins 18, 19 in the cap 3, 9. If the press key 8 is actuated, the counter-pins 21, 22 press the cap 3, 3a, 3b, 9 slightly away from the base 2 so that the cap can be easily removed.

(30) A circuit diagram is illustrated schematically in FIG. 7. The drive of the vibrator, that is to say the electric motor 16 in the exemplary embodiment, is connected between the two pins 18, 19 in the cap 3, 9, whereas the first pin 18 is merely connected to the second electrode 20 on the cap 3, 9.

(31) The two counter-pins 21, 22, which are connected to a power source 30 (batteries) by a switching device in the form of a changeover switch 29, are located on the base 2. The counter-pin 21, which contacts the insulated pin 18 in the cap 3, 9, has a connection to the first electrode 7 on the base 2.

(32) If the cap 3, 9 is then fitted onto the base 2—as indicated in FIG. 7—(a coding prevents the contacts from being swapped), a first electric circuit comprising the power source 30 and the electric motor 16 is produced and runs through the two pairs of pins, and a second electric circuit, which runs through the first contact of the second electrode 20, to the first electrode 7 via the user's body, and back to the power source 30, is produced during operation.

(33) The changeover switch is provided in the form of a transistor circuit which is controlled by a control device 31. The control device 31 contains an electronic memory in which a plurality of operating modes are stored. The operating modes are determined by the following parameters: duration of the treatment, polarity of the electrodes, and connection of the vibrator. The user can select a specific operating mode by actuating the button 5, this operating mode being shown on the display 6.

(34) A skin treatment generally comprises a first step in which a cleansing cream is first applied and the device is operated with a first polarity, whereby dirt passes from the skin into the cleansing cream by the flow of current. Caps 3 which do not contain a vibrator are used in this case because the creams are not to be worked into the skin.

(35) In a second step, once the cleansing cream has been removed, a treatment cream is applied and the device 1 is operated with a second polarity so that the active ingredients from the treatment cream can penetrate into the skin. With this approach, caps 9 are used which do comprise a vibrator 19 so that, in addition to the effect of the current which transports the active ingredients into the skin, a massaging-in effect is also provided, by means of which the active ingredient is rubbed into the skin. In addition to the increased efficacy, a pleasant feeling during the treatment process is also produced since the user finds a vibrating massage pleasurable.

(36) FIG. 8 shows a device 40 in cross-section, said device being suitable in particular for cellulite treatment of large skin surfaces.

(37) A second electrode 20, which takes up almost the entire underside, is located on the underside of a shallow housing 41 and is placed on the area of skin to be treated. A display 6 and a button 5 for selecting a treatment program are located on the upper side.

(38) A first electrode 7, which is in contact with the hand holding the device 40, is located peripherally on the outer edge of the upper side of the housing 41. A power source 30 in the form of batteries, and a vibrator 15, which comprises an electric motor 16 having a cam 17, are located inside the housing 41. The vibrator 15 is fixed centrally above the second electrode 20 by means of a socket (not illustrated) on the lower wall of the housing 41, and thus vibrates the wall together with the second electrode 20 when operated.

(39) The circuitry of the electrodes 7, 20 of the electric motor 16 and of the power source 30 corresponds to that shown in FIG. 7, however the pins 18, 19; 21, 22 are replaced by continuous connections. The pins are not necessary since the device 40 does not have any exchangeable caps 3, 9 with second electrodes 20 in this embodiment.

(40) Now, reference is made to FIG. 10. As shown in the two views, the device 1 according to the invention is approximately as large as the palm of a hand and has a flat, rectangular design. It comprises a base 2 and a cap 3 fitted thereon. A compartment 4 for accommodating batteries, which in this exemplary embodiment serve as the energy source to operate the device 1, is located at the lower, short end of the base 2.

(41) The exchangeable cap 3 is fitted on the opposite, upper short end of the base 2, this end being narrower than the lower end. A button 5 for selecting a treatment program is arranged on the front side of the base 2, the selected treatment program being shown on a display 6 positioned there above. A first electrode 7 having a large surface area is located on the rear side and, above this, a press key 8 for actuating a catch, by means of which the cap 3 is held on the base 2.

(42) Two tongues 10, 11 are formed on the upper edge of the cap 3 and together form a platform 13 which is inclined to the base 12 of the cap 3. The upper face of the platform 13 forms a continuous surface which can be placed on the skin and is provided with ribs 14.

(43) In the simplest case, according to FIG. 11, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the vibrator 15 comprises an electric motor 16, a cam 17 being arranged on the shaft of said electric motor 16.

(44) Within the base 12 of the cap 3 there is a cylindrical recess 32, the axis of which extends in the direction of the platform 13. In this embodiment, the electric motor 16 is arranged coaxial to the axis of the recess 32, whereby the shaft of the electric motor protrudes with the cam 17 into the platform 13. According to this embodiment, the shaft is arranged with the cam 17 vertical to the upper edge of the cap 3 and therefore extends between the lower area of the cap 3, which is plugged onto the base 2, and the upper area of the cap 3, which forms the second outer electrode 20.

(45) As is further shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, two metal pins 18, 19 are located inside the cap 3, whereby one pin 18 is electrically connected to the cap 3 and the other pin 19 is insulated from the cap 3. The cap 3 with the platform 13 consists of a conductive material or has at least a coating made of a conductive material so that the platform 13 forms the second electrode 20.

(46) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the cap 3 which in the illustration is transparent so that a bottom 50 that is inserted in the cap may be seen. The bottom 50 is located approximately at half the height in the cap 3, whereby its circumferential contour corresponds to the cross-section of the cap 3 at this position, and consequently the bottom 50 encloses a chamber 51 in the peak of the cap underneath the platform 13. At the upper side of the bottom 50, the upper side facing the platform 13, there are two arms 52a, 52b that project perpendicularly from the bottom 50, these arms 52a, 52b forming the recess 32 for the electric motor 16. Between the arms 52a, 52b the electric motor 16 is located, with its shaft with the cam 17 being aligned in the direction of the platform. On the underside of the bottom 50 there are two tabs 53 and 54 that are aligned so as to be parallel to each other and that encompass on both sides a plug-on region (not shown in the drawing) on the base. One tab 54 comprises a slot 26 which is engaged by a catch (also not shown in the drawing) on the base in order to hold the cap 3 to the base.

(47) FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the bottom 50. Said bottom 50 comprises a circumferential rubber seal 55 that conforms to the interior wall of the cap 3. The two arms 52a and 52b are in the middle part of the bottom 50; at their facing sides they are designed so as to be at least in part cylindrically curved, whereby the envelope of the curvatures forms a cylinder that accommodates the cylindrical electric motor 16.

(48) To the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the two arms 52a, 52b there is a retaining pin 56, each retaining pin 56 projecting perpendicularly from the bottom 50 and each being enclosed by a sealing sheet 57. The two sealing sheets 57 form an entity with the rubber seal 55.

(49) Further to the outside of the bottom 50, the first pin 18 and the second pin 19 are arranged, whereby the first pin 18 is designed so as to be longer than the second pin 19. A soldering lug 58 is placed on each of the pins 18 and 19.

(50) The cross-sectional view of FIG. 13 clearly shows the connection of the bottom 50 to the cap 3. The base 12 of the cap comprises a conically expanding shape so that the bottom 50 can be slid from below into the cap 3 until it abuts against a step 59. From the peak of the cap 3 two pillars 60 emanate, each pillar 60 comprising a cylindrical channel 61. The retaining pins 56 are plugged or screwed into these channels 61, whereby the faces of the pillars 60 rest against the sealing sheets 57 so as to provide a seal. The retaining pins 56 comprise heads 63 that are located in indentations 64 on the underside of the bottom 50. The retaining pins 56 are thus held by clamping force in the channels 61 or are screwed into the channels 61 which form retaining bushes 62 for the retaining pins 56 so that the bottom 50 is fixed in the cap 3.

(51) However, it is not the sole task of the retaining pins 56 to hold the bottom 50 in the cap 3; they also establish a vibration-transmitting connection to the peak of the cap 3 where the platform 13 is located. The vibrations caused by the rotating cam 17 are thus directly transmitted to the platform 13.

(52) The pins 18, 19 are located in through-holes in the bottom 50, whereby the lower ends project to the underside of the bottom 50 where they establish contact with counter-pins (not shown in the drawing) on the base.

(53) As already mentioned, the ends of the pins 18, 19 comprise soldering lugs 58. The end of the second pin 19 finishes freely in the chamber 51, while the first pin 18 enters a connector socket 65 on the inside of the cap 3, thus establishing electrically conductive contact with the cap 3. This is again ensured in that the cap 3 itself is made of metal or comprises a plastic material with a metal coating that extends into the connector socket 65.

(54) The illustrated cap 3 for a device for skin treatment thus comprises the base 2 and the cap 3, into which a vibrator 15 is inserted that is attached to the bottom 50. The bottom 50 is plugged into the cap 3 where it is held by retaining pins 56. Pins 18, 19 on the one hand establish an electrical connection to the second electrode 20 on the cap 3, and on the other hand the supply of power to the electric motor 16 of the vibrator. The two tabs 53, 54 ensure that known bases can continue to be fixed onto the cap and are compatible with the cap.

(55) FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section of a cap 3 placed on a base 2. A receiving region of the base 2, this receiving region being formed by a shoulder 25, extends between the two tabs 53 and 54, as a result of which the two tabs 53, 54 rest in a wedge-shaped manner against the interior wall of the cap 3. In the receiving region there is a catch 27 that projects into the slot 26 of one tab 54. The catch is activated by way of a lever 28 that is activated by the press key 8.

(56) As shown in FIG. 15, the housing of the device 1 comprises two half shells 70, 71 that are put together to form a closed housing, whereby the bottom region of the housing is essentially formed by an edge section of one of the half shells 70. In this edge, access to a compartment 72 is provided, into which rechargeable batteries 73 are inserted. The compartment 72 is formed by a circumferential web 74 on the edge section of the half shell 70. In the compartment 72, the batteries 73 are situated side-by-side and antiparallel to each other.

(57) A half-shell-shaped housing cover 75 covers the compartment 72. For this purpose, said housing cover 75 on its inner side also comprises a circumferential counter-web 76 which is fixed onto the web 74 on the half shell 70. In this arrangement, the outside contour of the housing cover 75 is shaped in such a manner that a smooth transition to the outer contours of the half shells 70, 71 is formed.

(58) In the compartment 72 itself, a compartment cover 77 is also provided that rests against the batteries 73 and for this purpose on its inner side comprises a trough-shaped indentation 78 and which on its outer side comprises a recess that forms a connector casing 79. The connector casing 79 rests against the inner side of the housing cover 75 so that in this manner a retaining force is exerted on the batteries 73 when the housing cover 75 with its counter-web 76 is fixed onto the circumferential web 74.

(59) The connector casing 79 is hollow and is open towards the underside of the compartment cover 77. On one wall of the connector casing 79 there is a housing opening 80. A connector board (not shown in the drawing) with a USB connector socket is inserted in the connector casing 79 in such a manner that the opening for the connector is situated in front of the housing opening 80.

(60) As can be derived from FIG. 16, the drive 90 of a vibrator is connected in series with the collector/emitter/path of a transistor 91. A control voltage is applied to the base 92 of the transistor 91. If this control voltage is present, the transistor connects through, and consequently current flows through the motor. If no voltage is present at the base 92, the transistor 91 blocks, and consequently the drive 90 is switched off.

(61) The switching voltage at the base is supplied by a control circuit which by means of a detector detects whether a current flows to the second electrode.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(62) 1 Device 2 Base 3 Cap 3a Cap 3b Cap 4 Compartment 5 Button 6 Display 7 First electrode 8 Press key 9 Cap 10 Tongue 11 Tongue 12 Base of a cap 13 Platform 14 Ribs 15 Vibrator 16 Electric motor 17 Cam 18 Pin 19 Pin 20 Second electrode 21 Counter-pin 22 Counter-pin 23 Spring 24 Spring 25 Shoulder 26 Slot 27 Catch 28 Lever 29 Changeover switch 30 Power source 31 Control device 32 Recess 40 Device 41 Housing 50 Bottom 51 Chamber 52a Arm 52b Arm 53 Tab 54 Tab 55 Rubber seal 56 Retaining pin 57 Sealing sheet 58 Soldering lug 59 Step 60 Pillar 61 Channel 62 Retaining bush 63 Head 64 Indentation 65 Connector socket 70 Half shell 71 Half shell 72 Compartment 73 Batteries 74 Web 75 Housing cover 76 Counter-web 77 Compartment cover 78 Indentation 79 Connector casing 80 Housing opening 90 Drive 91 Transistor 92 Base