Apparatus having a skin-contactable element containing an agent

• US 20050148910A1
• 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: Gubemick, David, Menke, James C., Cole, Curtis, Skover, Gregory, Lukenbach, Elvin
• Application Number:
  US10/746,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20050148910A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/46
• 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, wherein the skin-contactable element includes an agent selected from the group consisting of a benefit agent, an apparatus-enhancing agent, and combinations thereof; (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 agent is configured to release from the skin contactable element to the expanse of skin upon contacting the skin-contactable surface with the expanse of skin.

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, wherein said skin-contactable element comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of a benefit agent, an apparatus-enhancing agent, and combinations thereof;

(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 said agent is configured to release from the skin contactable element to said expanse of skin upon contacting said skin-contactable surface with said expanse of skin.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the skin-contactable element comprises a porous material, wherein the pores of said porous material are capable of transporting said agent from within said skin-contactable element to said skin-contactable surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said porous material comprises fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyolefin, rayon, cellulose, and combinations thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the porous material comprises an apertured film.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the agent is a benefit agent selected from a group consisting of reflectants;

film forming polymers;

amino acids and their derivatives;

allergy inhibitors;

anti-acne agents;

anti-aging agents;

anti-wrinkling agents, antiseptics;

analgesics;

shine-control agents;

antipruritics;

anti-microbial agents;

anti-hair loss agents;

hair growth promoting agents;

hair growth inhibitor agents, antihistamines;

antiinfectives;

anti-inflammatory agents;

anticholinergics;

vasoconstrictors;

vasodilators;

wound healing promoters;

peptides, polypeptides and proteins;

deodorants and anti-perspirants;

film-forming polymers;

vitamins;

skin lightening agents;

skin darkening agents;

antifungals;

depilating agents;

counterirritants;

enzymes and enzyme inhibitors;

poison ivy products;

poison oak products;

burn products;

anti-diaper rash agents;

prickly heat agents;

herbal extracts;

flavenoids;

sensates;

anti-oxidants;

hair lighteners;

chelating agents;

keratolytics;

sunscreens;

anti-edema agents; and

combinations thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the agent is a benefit agent selected from a group consisting of neo-collagen enhancers, skin-firming agents, depigmenting agents, and combinations thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the agent is an apparatus-enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of (i) at least 10 percent, by weight, of a volatile non-polar solvent, (ii) a keratolytic, or (iii) combinations thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the agent is an apparatus-enhancing agent that comprises a particulate in a dry state.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the skin-contactable surface does not comprise tacky polymeric materials.

2. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said skin-contactable element further comprises a control layer forming at least a portion of said contactable surface, and wherein the control layer is configured to denature over the delay period.

11. A product comprising:

(a) a skin-contactable element having a skin-contactable surface, wherein said skin-contactable element comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of a benefit agent, an apparatus-enhancing agent, and combinations thererof; 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 said skin-contactable surface;

wherein said agent is configured to release from the skin contactable element to said expanse of skin upon contacting said skin-contactable surface with said expanse of skin.

12. The product of claim 11 wherein said skin-contactable element further comprises a control layer forming at least a portion of the skin-contactable surface, wherein the control layer is configured to denature over the delay period.

13. The product of claim 11 further wherein the skin-contactable element comprises a porous material, wherein the pores of said porous material are capable of transporting said agent from within said skin-contactable element to said skin-contactable surface.

14. The product of claim 13 wherein said porous material comprises fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyolefin, rayon, cellulose, and combinations thereof.

15. The product of claim 13 wherein the porous material comprises an apertured film.

16. The product of claim 11 wherein the agent is a benefit agent selected from a group consisting of reflectants;

film forming polymers;

amino acids and their derivatives;

allergy inhibitors;

anti-acne agents;

anti-aging agents;

anti-wrinkling agents, antiseptics;

analgesics;

shine-control agents;

antipruritics;

anti-microbial agents;

anti-hair loss agents;

hair growth promoting agents;

hair growth inhibitor agents, antihistamines;

antiinfectives;

anti-inflammatory agents;

anticholinergics;

vasoconstrictors;

vasodilators;

wound healing promoters;

peptides, polypeptides and proteins;

deodorants and anti-perspirants;

film-forming polymers;

vitamins;

skin lightening agents;

skin darkening agents;

antifungals;

depilating agents;

counterirritants;

enzymes and enzyme inhibitors;

poison ivy products;

poison oak products;

burn products;

anti-diaper rash agents;

prickly heat agents;

herbal extracts;

flavenoids;

sensates;

anti-oxidants;

hair lighteners;

chelating agents;

keratolytics;

sunscreens;

anti-edema agents; and

combinations thereof.

17. The product of claim 11 wherein the agent is a benefit agent selected from a group consisting of neo-collagen enhancers, skin-firming agents, depigmenting agents, and combinations thereof.

18. The product of claim 11 wherein the agent is an apparatus-enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of (i) at least 10 percent, by weight, of a volatile non-polar solvent, (ii) a keratolytic, or (iii) combinations thereof.

19. The product of claim 11, wherein the agent is an apparatus-enhancing agent that comprises a particulate in a dry state.

20. The product of claim 11, wherein the skin-contactable surface does not comprise tacky polymeric materials.