Method of cleaning skin

• US 6,569,170 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David L. Kellogg
• Original Assignee: David L. Kellogg
• Inventors: Kellogg, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Ralph A.
• Application Number:
  US09/957,518
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 606/131, 601/2, 422/20, 15/221, 15/222
• US Class Current: 606/131
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/023 with means for inducing vibration to the bristles
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/102 Brush specifically designed for massaging the skin or scalp A46B2200/1026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 7/04 Mechanical washing or cleaning devices, hand or mechanically, i.e. power operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

An ultrasonic cleaner has a handle having a proximal end, a distal end, a hollow interior, and an exterior gripping surface. A brush mounting point is positioned at the proximal end of the handle and an ultrasonic vibrator is positioned within the hollow interior and operably attached to the brush mounting point. A battery is operably positioned within the hollow interior of the handle for providing power to the ultrasonic vibrator. A skin cleaning brush is mounted on the brush mounting point. The invention includes a method of cleaning skin using an ultrasonic cleaner. Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted from the ultrasonic vibrator, through the brush mounting point, to a plurality of brush bristles of the skin cleaning brush, and the skin cleaning brush is used to scrub the skin. In this arrangement, the plurality of brush bristles effectively transmit the ultrasonic vibration to the skin and work in conjunction with the liquid cleaning solvent to clean the skin.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning skin using an ultrasonic cleaner, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing an ultrasonic cleaner comprising

a handle having a proximal end, a distal end, a hollow interior, and an exterior gripping surface;

a brush mounting point positioned at the proximal end of the handle;

an ultrasonic vibrator positioned within the hollow interior and operably attached to the brush mounting point;

a means for providing power to the ultrasonic vibrator; and

a skin cleaning brush mounted on the brush mounting point, the skin cleaning brush having a plurality of brush bristles;

b) providing a liquid cleaning solvent;

c) coating the skin with the liquid cleaning solvent;

d) initiating ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibration being transmitted through the brush mounting point to the plurality of brush bristles of the skin cleaning brush; and

e) scrubbing the skin with the skin cleaning brush, the plurality of brush bristles effectively transmitting the ultrasonic vibration to the skin and working in conjunction with the liquid cleaning solvent to clean the skin.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid cleaning solvent includes water and a soap.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the liquid cleaning solvent further includes an astringent.