Apparatus for treatment of the skin having a signaling marker

• US 20050148906A1
• Filed: 12/24/2003
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hull, Raymond Jr., Menke, James C., Cole, Curtis, Skover, Gregory, Cronin, John, Lukenbach, Elvin
• Application Number:
  US10/746,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20050148906A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/17
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/207 Vibration, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/04 Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/54 Chiropodists' instruments , e.g. pedicure chiropractic devices A61H1/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/02 adapted for simultaneous treatment with light, heat or drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/004 power-driven, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/005 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/07 Retinol compounds, e.g. vitamin A retinoic acids A61K31/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/41 Amines
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/64 Proteins; Peptides; Derivatives or degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/671 Vitamin A; Derivatives thereof, e.g. ester of vitamin A acid, ester of retinol, retinol, retinal
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/02 for chemically bleaching or whitening the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/08 Anti-ageing preparations

Abstract

The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface; (b) a motor; and (c) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the skin-contactable element includes a signaling marker that is adapted to provide a change in a sensation that is discernable to a user after a period of time of operation of the apparatus, and wherein the sensation is selected from a group consisting of tactile, olfactory, thermal, visual, auditory, and combinations thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface;

(b) a motor; and

(c) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from said motor to said skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to said skin-contactable surface;

wherein the skin-contactable element comprises a signaling marker that is adapted to provide a change in a sensation that is discernable to a user after a period of time of operation of the apparatus, and wherein the sensation is selected from a group consisting of tactile, olfactory, thermal, visual, auditory, and combinations thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensation is tactile.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensation is olfactory.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensation is thermal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensation is visual.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensation is auditory.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the signaling marker comprises a lubricious material.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the signaling marker comprises an encapsulated volatile fragrance compound.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the signaling marker comprises an inorganic salt capable of releasing heat when placed in contact with moisture.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the signaling marker comprises an encapsulated colorant.

11. A product comprising:

(a) a skin-contactable element comprising a signaling marker that is adapted to provide a change in a sensation that is discernable to a user after a period of time of operation of the apparatus, and wherein the sensation is selected from a group consisting of tactile, olfactory, thermal, visual, auditory, and combinations thereof; and

(b) instructions directing a user to couple the skin-contactable element to a motorized apparatus, wherein the motorized apparatus is for imparting mechanical energy to the skin-contactable surface.

12. The product of claim 11 wherein the sensation is tactile.

13. The product of claim 11 wherein the sensation is olfactory.

14. The product of claim 11 wherein the sensation is thermal.

15. The product of claim 11 wherein the sensation is visual.

16. The product of claim 11 wherein the sensation is auditory.

17. The product of claim 12, wherein the signaling marker comprises a lubricious material.

18. The product of claim 13, wherein the signaling marker comprises an encapsulated volatile fragrance compound.

19. The product of claim 14, wherein the signaling marker comprises an inorganic salt capable of releasing heat when placed in contact with moisture.

20. The product of claim 15, wherein the signaling marker comprises an encapsulated colorant.