Facial toning system

• US 5,931,859 A
• Filed: 09/30/1998
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert E. Burke
• Original Assignee: Robert E. Burke
• Inventors: Burke, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan, Todd E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Application Number:
  US09/163,777
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 132/314, 132/317, 132/333, 607/75, 607/76, 607/66, 607/150, 607/151, 607/153, 604/20
• US Class Current: 607/66
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1063 Removing cosmetic substances, e.g. make-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/322 Electromedical brushes, combs, massage devices

Abstract

A three phase facial toning system includes an applicator having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode that are electrically separated from one another by an insulated base. When the applicator is used, the user'"'"'s hand is in contact with the ground electrode so that the ground electrode is grounded when in use. In the first phase, a cleanser is applied to facial skin, a first switch actuator is pressed, and the applicator electrode is placed into contact with the skin in a prescribed way. Pressing the first switch actuator places the applicator electrode in communication with a positive voltage so that electrons flow from the user'"'"'s skin to the applicator electrode to help the cleansing action of the cleanser. In the second phase, a vitalizing gel is applied to the face and a second switch actuator is actuated. A voltage oscillates between the applicator electrode and the ground electrode at a predetermined rate of oscillation so that electrons alternately flow into and out of the user'"'"'s skin to assist the action of the vitalizer. In the third phase, a moisturizer is applied to the skin and a third switch actuator is actuated. Electrons then flow from the applicator electrode into the skin to enhance the effectiveness of the moisturizer. A housing includes three wells for holding jars that contain the cleanser, vitalizer, and moisturizer and a fourth well that holds the applicator and a power cord that extends from the applicator to the circuit that controls the current flow to the electrodes. Batteries supply power to the circuit.

Claims

1. A facial toning system, comprising:

an applicator having an insulated base, an applicator electrode extending from a first end of said insulated base, and a ground electrode extending from a second end of said insulated base;

a source of electrical power in electrical communication with said applicator electrode and said ground electrode;

a first, second and third switch means disposed in circuit-opening and circuit-closing relation between said source of electrical power and said applicator;

a circuit means, including said first, second and third switch means, for applying a predetermined positive voltage to said applicator electrode when said first switch means is closed and when said applicator is held by a user at said ground electrode and said applicator electrode is in contacting relation to the user'"'"'s skin, for applying a predetermined voltage that oscillates between said applicator electrode and said ground electrode when said second switch means is closed and when said applicator is held by said user at said ground electrode and said applicator electrode is in contacting relation to said user'"'"'s skin, and for applying a positive voltage to said ground electrode when said third switch means is closed and when said applicator is held by said user at said ground electrode and said applicator electrode is in contacting relation to said user'"'"'s skin;

said applicator electrode and said ground electrode being electrically insulated from one another so that a circuit is completed when a predetermined switch means is closed and when said applicator electrode is grounded by being held in said user'"'"'s hand and said applicator electrode is held by said user in contacting relation to said user'"'"'s skin;

said circuit, when said first switch means is closed, when said second and third switch means are open and when said applicator electrode is held against said user'"'"'s skin by said user while said ground applicator is held in said user'"'"'s hand, causing electrons to flow from said user'"'"'s skin to said applicator electrode;

said circuit, when said second switch means is closed, when said first and third switch means are open and when said applicator electrode is held against said user'"'"'s skin by said user while said ground applicator is held in said user'"'"'s hand, causing electrons to alternately flow, at a predetermined oscillation rate, from said applicator electrode into said user'"'"'s skin and from said user'"'"'s skin into said applicator electrode;

said circuit, when said third switch means is closed, when said first and second switch means are open and when said applicator electrode is held against said user'"'"'s skin by said user while said ground applicator is held in said user'"'"'s hand, causing electrons to flow from said applicator electrode into said user'"'"'s skin;

whereby the user'"'"'s skin is defoliated when said first switch is closed;

whereby said skin is firmed and toned when said second switch is closed; and

whereby said skin is cleansed when said third switch is closed.

2. The facial toning system of claim 1, further comprising:

an elongate power cord interconnecting said applicator and said source of electrical power;

said elongate power cord including a first electrical conductor connected to said applicator electrode and a second electrical conductor connected to said ground electrode.

3. The facial toning system of claim 2, further comprising:

a base member;

a plurality of wells formed in said base member;

a predetermined number of said wells adapted to releasable hold a jar; and

one of said wells adapted to releasable hold said applicator and said elongate power cord.

4. The facial toning system of claim 3, wherein said predetermined number of wells adapted to releasable hold a jar is three, wherein a first well is adapted to hold a jar of cleanser, wherein a second well is adapted to hold a jar of vitalizer, and wherein a third well is adapted to hold a moisturizer.

5. The facial toning system of claim 4, further comprising a first switch actuator means mounted in said base member adjacent said first well, said first switch actuator means actuating said first switch means, a second switch actuator means mounted in said base member adjacent said second well, said second switch actuator means for actuating said second switch means, and a third switch actuator means mounted in said base member adjacent said third well, said third switch actuator means for actuating said third switch means, so that a user of said system will intuitively know which switch actuator to actuate when beginning a phase of treatment involving said cleanser, said vitalizer, or said moisturizer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said circuit includes a bistable multivibrators in electrical communication with each of said switch means so that each of said switch means toggles from its closed configuration to its open configuration or from its open configuration to its closed configuration each time it is actuated.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first lamp means in electrical connection with said power source and in electrical connection with each of said switch means so that said first lamp illuminates momentarily when a switch means is closed and if said power source is functioning.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second lamp means in electrical connection with said power source, said second lamp means being illuminated when said ground electrode is held by a user'"'"'s hand and when said applicator electrode is in contacting relation to the skin of the user.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a buzzer means that sounds momentarily a predetermined amount of time after a predetermined switch means is closed to audibly advise a user that a phase of the treatment has ended.