Handheld, personal skin care systems with detachable skin care elements

• US 9,320,538 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hull, Raymond J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCEVOY, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US14/244,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20140249548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 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: 1/1
• 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 is designed for use with a handheld body having a receptacle. The skin care element holder includes a substantially circular plate having a diameter between about 20 and about 60 mm. The substantially circular plate has a first surface arranged and configured for coupling to the skin care element; a second surface, opposite the first 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. Handheld skin care systems incorporating the skin care holder are also described.

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 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. at least one engagement arm extending from said second surface at a location spaced radially inwardly of said outer peripheral edge of said plate and radially offset from spacer leg, and in a direction away from said first surface, said at least one engagement arm comprising a snap-fit projection for engagement with a recess in the receptacle;

iii. at least one key extending from said second surface, in a direction away from said first surface, at least from a location radially outward of said location from which said at least one spacer leg extends and said location from which said at least one engagement arm extends up to a location at, but not beyond, said outer peripheral edge of said plate, said at least one key being arranged and configured to fit into a notch in the receptacle.

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

said key has an engagement surface along a free end of said at least one raised portion furthest from said second surface, 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.