Tape stripping system and method

• US 6,645,184 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2000
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Brian D. Zelickson, David A. Kist
• Inventors: Kist, David A., Zelickson, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bogart, Michael G.
• Application Number:
  US09/635,285
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 604/289, 604/290, 606/131
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 26/0004 by abrasion
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/00 Other cosmetic or toiletry articles, e.g. for hairdressers' rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/54 Chiropodists' instruments , e.g. pedicure chiropractic devices A61H1/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320008 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320078 Tissue manipulating surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0208 Tissues; Wipes; Patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 9/04 Depilatories

Abstract

A system and method for utilizing tape-like material by applying it to human skin and then stripping the tape from the skin to remove excess or unwanted material. The system further includes application of other elements to facilitate skin recovery and rejuvenation processes.

Claims

1. A method of rejuvenating skin comprising the steps of:

assessing the skin to be rejuvenated;

selecting a proper tape program for application and removal of tape to a surface of an applicator tip of an ergonomically shaped handheld apparatus;

applying an appropriate tape to the surface of the applicator tip;

setting in motion the applicator tip throughout the time that the applied tape is in contact with the treated area of the skin; and

implementing the selected tape program so that the motion of the applicator tip and the tape on the applicator tip impacts a rejuvenating effect on the skin being treated.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the selected tape program determines the motion of the device and the tape in contact with a user'"'"'s skin.

3. A skin rejuvenating, system for a user'"'"'s skin, comprising:

an ergonomically shaped handheld device having motion generating means for imparting desired motion to a partially inserted component at a distal tip thereof, and a distal tip surface having wall portions defining, a connection aperture for connecting a rejuvenating surface component portion into said distal tip area aperture, and a handheld hand actuatable motion generating and control means; and

a distal component having a first portion designed for insertion into a motion generating subsystem of the handheld device, and a second portion having a shaped configuration to conform to a user'"'"'s skin surface, with said conformed surface comprising means for placing a skin treatment surface element material on said surface to apply energy to the user'"'"'s skin suitable to regenerate portions of the skin.

4. A method of using a comprehensive rejuvenation program for rejuvenating skin comprising the steps of:

assessing the skin to be rejuvenated and the intended rejuvenation goal;

selecting a proper therapeutic algorithm from a selection of algorithms which is appropriate for a particular user;

selecting a disposable surface element for application of a skin treatment product, said element having at least one surface designed for applying a penetrating and rejuvenating effect on a skin area being treated;

configuring the skin treatment product element on an ergonomically shaped re-usable handheld device portion suitable for receiving motion generating energy; and

applying motion generating energy to said handheld device portion while the skin treatment product element is in contact with the skin to be rejuvenated so that the element is in moving contact with the skin and generates rejuvenation by restructuring and regeneration of skin.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the motion generating energy imparts a reciprocating motion to the element in contact with the skin.

6. The method of claim 4 in which the motion generating energy imparts a circular motion to the element in contact with the skin.

7. The method of claim 4 in which the motion generating energy imparts a buffing motion to the element in contact with the skin.

8. The method of claim 4 in which the motion generating energy imparts a polishing motion to the element in contact with the skin.

9. The method of claim 4 in which the motion generating energy imparts a regenerating motion to the element in contact with the skin so that the element actually regenerates damaged skin rather than creating an appearance of rejuvenated skin.

10. The method of claim 4 in which the skin treatment product surface element is selected from a cleanser, a peel agent, a toner, a moisturizer, an activator, an abrasive, a buffing material, a polishing material, and a medicament.

11. A combination therapy method for rejuvenating skin comprising the steps of:

assessing the skin to be rejuvenated and the intended rejuvenation goal;

selecting a proper therapeutic algorithm from a selection of algorithms which is appropriate for a particular user;

selecting a disposable surface element for application of a skin treatment product, said element having at least one surface designed for applying a penetrating and rejuvenating effect on a skin area being treated;

configuring the skin treatment product element on an ergonomically shaped re-usable handheld device portion suitable for receiving motion generating energy;

applying motion generating energy to said handheld device portion while the skin treatment product element is in contact with the skin to be rejuvenated so that the element is in moving contact with the skin and generates rejuvenation by restructuring and regeneration of skin; and

re-assessing the skin to be rejuvenated to identify further treatment required.

12. The method of claim 11 in which the combined therapy comprises selection and use of a plurality of skin treatment product elements including an abrasive to remove a surface portion of the skin, an application of appropriate energy to regenerate a portion of the skin, and a third element to either medicate or moisturize a portion of the skin.