Tattoo Device with Interchangeable Colors

• US 20160074646A1
• Filed: 05/01/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyce Leigh Norman
• Original Assignee: Joyce Leigh Norman
• Inventors: Norman, Joyce Leigh
• Granted Patent: US 9,833,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0076 Tattooing apparatus apparatus for marking animals A01K11/00; vaccine applicators having needles or other puncturing means A61B17/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0084 Tattooing apparatus with incorporated liquid feeding device

Abstract

This invention provides novel apparatus'"'"' and methods for tattooing skin. One embodiment provides an apparatus for tattooing skin comprising a frame and a plurality of pressurized compartments for storing tattooing fluids. A user may select one or more of the pressurized compartments to dispense a chosen skin colorant contained in the compartment(s). A fluid dispenser receives the chosen skin colorant(s). The tattooing fluid(s) in the chosen pressurized compartment(s) is forced into the fluid dispenser by a pressure source in the pressurized compartment, and by a pumping mechanism coupled to the apparatus. Tattooing fluid is provided to a tattooing needle through a fluid connection coupled to the fluid dispenser and disposed at an operating end of the tattooing needle.

Claims

1. A tattooing apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an operating end and a distal end adapted to receive a motor;

a reciprocating armature coupled to the motor;

a tattooing needle coupled to the reciprocating armature and comprising an operating end extending beyond the operating end of the frame;

a fluid dispenser;

a fluid connection coupled to the fluid dispenser and disposed near the operating end of the tattooing needle;

a plurality of piercing tubes each coupled to the fluid dispenser;

a plurality of pressurized compartments comprising;

a first end disposed adjacent to a piercing tube and comprising a self-sealing fluid-tight seal;

a second end configured to be selected; and

a reservoir coupled between the first end and the second end and comprising a fluid and a pressure source;

wherein at least one of the pressurized compartments is filled with a fluid comprising an ink;

wherein when at least one of the second ends of a pressurized compartment is selected, the piercing tube adjacent to the selected pressurized compartment penetrates the first end of the pressurized compartment causing the fluid to flow from the pressurized compartment in to the fluid dispenser and in to the fluid connection;

a pumping mechanism coupled to the fluid connection and adapted to further force the flow of fluid from the fluid dispenser through the fluid connection and to controllably release fluid near the operating end of the tattooing needle; and

an adjustable tip coupled to the operating end of the frame and configured to expose a user selected portion of the tattooing needle.

2. The tattooing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a source of cleansing solution coupled to the fluid dispenser.

3. The tattooing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the source of cleansing solution is housed within at least one of the pressurized compartments.

4. The tattooing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor is pneumatic.

5. The tattooing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressurized compartments are refillable.

6. The tattooing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing coupled to the frame configured to substantially cover the reciprocating armature, the tattooing needle, the fluid connection and the pumping mechanism.

7. The tattooing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cartridge clip coupled to the frame, comprising:

a plurality of compartment openings configured to accept the plurality of pressurized compartments, each comprising a button disposed adjacent to the pressurized compartment; and

a release mechanism configured to quickly decouple the cartridge clip from the frame.

8. The tattooing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a valve is coupled to each piercing tube.

9. The tattooing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mixing mechanism in communication with the liquid dispenser.

10. A tattooing apparatus comprising:

a housing with a portion configured to be held in a hand of a user;

a frame comprising an operating end and a distal end adapted to receive a motor;

a fluid dispenser;

a reciprocating tattooing needle coupled to the motor and comprising;

an operating end extending beyond the operating end of the frame; and

at least one fluid pathway coupled to the fluid dispenser and disposed near the operating end of the tattooing needle;

a plurality of piercing tubes each coupled to the fluid dispenser;

a plurality of pressurized compartments comprising;

a first end disposed adjacent to a piercing tube and comprising a self-sealing fluid-tight seal;

a second end configured to be selected; and

a reservoir coupled between the first end and the second end and comprising a fluid and a pressure source;

wherein at least one pressurized compartment is filled with a fluid comprising an ink;

wherein when at least one of the second ends of a pressurized compartment is selected, the piercing tube adjacent to the selected pressurized compartment penetrates the first end of the pressurized compartment causing fluid to flow from the pressurized compartment in to the fluid dispenser and in to the fluid pathway;

a pumping mechanism coupled to the fluid pathway and adapted to further force the flow of fluid from the fluid dispenser through the fluid pathway and to controllably release fluid near the operating end of the tattooing needle; and

an adjustable tip coupled to the operating end of the frame and configured to expose a user selected portion of the tattooing needle.

11. The tattooing apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a source of cleansing solution coupled to the fluid dispenser.

12. The tattooing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the source of cleansing solution is from at least one of the pressurized compartments.

13. The tattooing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the motor is pneumatic.

14. The tattooing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pressurized compartments are refillable.

15. The tattooing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the reciprocating tattooing needle, the fluid dispenser, the housing, the pumping mechanism, and the adjustable tip are disposable.

17. The tattooing apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mixing mechanism in communication with the fluid dispenser.

18. A method of using a handheld tattooing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

providing a housing with a portion configured to be held in a hand of a user;

providing a frame comprising an operating end and a distal end adapted to receive a motor;

providing a fluid dispenser;

providing a reciprocating tattooing needle coupled to the motor and comprising;

an operating end extending beyond the operating end of the frame; and

at least one fluid pathway coupled to the fluid dispenser and disposed near the operating end of the tattooing needle;

providing a plurality of piercing tubes each coupled to the fluid dispenser;

providing a plurality of pressurized compartments comprising;

a first end disposed adjacent to a piercing tube and comprising a self-sealing fluid-tight seal;

a second end configured to be selected; and

a reservoir coupled between the first end and the second end and comprising a fluid and a pressure source;

providing at least one pressurized compartment with a fluid comprising an ink;

selecting at least one of the second ends of a pressurized compartment causing the piercing tube adjacent to the selected pressurized compartment to penetrate the first end of the pressurized compartment and in turn causing fluid to flow from the pressurized compartment in to the fluid dispenser and in to the fluid pathway;

providing a pumping mechanism coupled to the fluid pathway and further forcing the flow of fluid from the fluid dispenser through the fluid pathway and controllably releasing fluid near the operating end of the tattooing needle with the pumping mechanism;

applying ink to a surface;

providing a cleaning solution source coupled to the fluid dispenser;

simultaneously feeding the cleaning solution through the fluid dispenser and out of the fluid pathway following an application of ink using the tattooing apparatus;

providing an adjustable tip coupled to the operating end of the frame and covering a portion of the tattooing needle; and

optionally adjusting the tip to expose a user defined portion of the tattooing needle.

19. The method of using a tattooing apparatus of claim 18, wherein the source of cleaning solution is from at least one of the pressurized compartments.

20. The method of using a handheld tattooing apparatus of claim 18, further providing a mixing mechanism in user engageable communication with the fluid dispenser;

and

engaging the mixing mechanism when more than one pressurized compartment is selected.