Handheld, personal skin care systems with detachable skin care elements

• US 8,709,019 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2012
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hull, Raymond J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCEVOY, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US13/713,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20130103052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 606/131, 601 69- 73, 132/73.5, 132/75, 132/73.6, 132/75.8, 132/76.4, 451/353, 451/359
• US Class Current: 606/131
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1054 Abrasive cosmetic skin peeling or scrubbing
• 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 17/3205 Excision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/50 Instruments, other than pincettes or toothpicks, for removing foreign bodies from the human body locating otherwise A61B5/06; locating by radiation A61B6/00; removing calculi A61B17/22; from the eyes A61F9/00709
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/54 Chiropodists' instruments , e.g. pedicure chiropractic devices A61H1/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• 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 2017/320004 abrasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes

Abstract

A skin care element holder for use with a handheld body having a receptacle includes a substantially circular plate having a diameter between about 20 and about 60 mm. The substantially circular plate has a first surface for coupling to the skin care element; a second surface; and an outer peripheral edge. The second surface of the substantially circular plate has at least one spacer leg; a plurality of engagement arms; and at least one key. Each of the at least one spacer leg, engagement arms and key extend from the second surface in a direction away from the first surface. The at least one spacer leg supports the plate in the receptacle. At least one of said engagement arms includes a snap-fit projection for engagement with a recess in the receptacle. The key is arranged and configured to fit into a notch in the receptacle.

Claims

1. A skin care element holder for use with a handheld body having a receptacle, said skin care element holder comprising a substantially circular plate having a diameter between about 20 and about 60 mm, wherein:

a. said substantially circular plate has;

i. a first surface arranged and configured for coupling to a skin care element;

ii. a second surface, opposite said first surface; and

iii. an outer peripheral edge; and

b. said second surface of said substantially circular plate has;

i. at least one spacer leg extending from said second surface in a direction away from said first surface to support said plate in the receptacle;

ii. a plurality of engagement arms extending a first distance from said second surface in a direction away from said first surface, at least one of said engagement arms comprising a snap-fit projection for engagement with a recess in the receptacle; and

iii. at least one key extending a second distance from said second surface in a direction away from said first surface, said key being arranged and configured to fit into a notch in the receptacle, wherein said key comprises at least one raised portion extending radially inward from an outer perimeter of said plate;

wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.

2. The skin care element holder of claim 1, wherein the skin care element is a disposable element and is removably coupled to said first surface of said substantially circular plate.

3. The skin care element holder of claim 1, wherein the skin care element is a durable element and is permanently coupled to said first surface of said substantially circular plate.

4. The skin care element holder of claim 1, wherein said outer peripheral edge of said substantially circular plate is the outer circumference of a circle.

5. The skin care element holder of claim 1, wherein said outer peripheral edge of said substantially circular plate comprises a resilient material.

6. The skin care element holder of claim 1, wherein said substantially circular plate is free of discontinuities along said outer peripheral edge.

7. The skin care element holder of claim 1, wherein:

said spacer leg extends a third distance from said second surface in a direction away from said first surface; and

said first distance is greater than said third distance.

8. The skin care element holder of claim 7, wherein said third distance is greater than said second distance.

9. A skin care element holder for use with a handheld body having a receptacle, said skin care element holder comprising a substantially circular plate having a diameter between about 20 and about 60 mm, wherein:

a. said substantially circular plate has;

i. a first surface arranged and configured for coupling to the skin care element;

ii. a second surface, opposite said first surface; and

iii. an outer peripheral edge; and

b. said second surface of said substantially circular plate has;

i. at least one spacer leg extending from said second surface in a direction away from said first surface to support said plate in the receptacle;

ii. a plurality of engagement arms extending from said second surface in a direction away from said first surface, at least one of said engagement arms comprising a snap-fit projection for engagement with a recess in the receptacle; and

iii. at least one key extending from said second surface in a direction away from said first surface, said key being arranged and configured to fit into a notch in the receptacle, wherein said key comprises at least one raised portion having a longitudinal axis extending radially inward from an outer perimeter of said plate.

10. The skin care element holder of claim 9, wherein:

said key has an engagement surface along a free end of said at least one raised portion furthest from said second surface and extending along said longitudinal axis, said engagement surface being configured to engage the notch in the receptacle of the handheld body; and

said snap-fit projection engages in the recess in the receptacle of the handheld body in a radial direction.

11. The skin care element holder of claim 9, wherein said substantially circular plate is free of discontinuities along said outer peripheral edge.

12. The skin care element holder of claim 9, wherein said key extends radially beyond said engagement arms and up to said outer peripheral edge of said plate.