GB2254249A - Applying fluent materials to the skin - Google Patents

Abstract

A pad holder for applying cosmetic or other fluent materials, such as powder, to the skin uses a domed casing or backing plate (10) intended to have a porous or permeable circular pad (12) secured to it to offer a domed frictional surface to which fluent material may be applied for retention before and while the pad (12) is pressed against a user's skin, preferably with relative movement. The casing (10) may have an integral clamp ring, or a separate outer ring (11) may be used to secure the pad border to the backing plate (10). The pad holder may be moved by hand when in position, or it may be secured to a hand-held device for rotating and/or vibrating the pad holder. <IMAGE>

Description

APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO THE SKIN This invention relates to the application of fluent materials to the skin. This may be for medical or therapeutic purposes but is predominantly for cosmetic purposes.

For centuries, it has been the practice for curative or cosmetic purposes to apply fluent materials to the skin.

In order to effect adequate interaction between the material and the skin, it has been customary to rub the cream, ointment, lotion or the like into the skin. This can, of course, be done using the fingers or other parts of the hand, but this is messy and (except, of course, in the case that the skin desired to be treated is on the hands) unnecessarily wasteful. Thus, it is known to render the material semi-solid and applied in stick form (for example, lipstick, stage makeup) or to apply more liquid materials on a pad or brush. In the case of some highly liquid materials, an impregnated pad may be used which is stored "wet" until required for use and then applied to the desired area and usually subsequently thrown away.

It has long been appreciated that the action of rubbing or massaging fluent materials into the skin is beneficial, not merely arising from the nature of the fluent material itself, but also because of the massaging or other movement. Skin tone and muscular tone beneath the skin are improved by mechanical stimulation such as massage or relatively low frequency vibration. Vibratory apparatus is known consisting of a hand-held casing or body having a head which is held against the skin and means for causing the head to vibrate by an appropriate mechanism in the casing or body. Such devices are known as "sonic massagers" and are available in commerce.

According to a first feature of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for the application of fluent material to the skin, comprising a backing plate or casing and a pad, the plate or casing being configured or having means for retaining the pad thereon or therein, the apparatus being adapted to be held by hand or to be held on apparatus including means for subjecting the retained pad to regular movement.

Generally speaking, it is convenient to use a round pad for application of fluent material and accordingly to use a generally circular casing. In one embodiment of the invention, a generally circular casing of resilient material has a recess for the reception of a generally circular pad of fluent-material-receiving substrate, the casing being movable between two stable positions, in one of which the edges of the pad are gripped between cooperating portions of the casing and in the other of which the edges of the pad are freely insertable between such cooperating portions.

In an alternative embodiment, the casing may consist of an outer peripheral member having a lip adapted to support the periphery of the pad, and a backing member insertable into the outer peripheral member, preferably with a resilient clip action, intoa position in which the pad is securely held.

In yet a further alternative, physical means such as a pin or stud may be provided to secure a pad on to a casing in the form of a backing plate or member.

In all of these embodiments, it is highly preferred that the casing includes means enabling it to be inserted into movement-generating apparatus. Such movement-generating apparatus can comprise an outer housing, a socket for receipt of the casing, and means within the housing for causing movement of the socket. Such means are preferably electrically driven and arranged to impart a regular motion to the socket. The regular motion may take a variety of forms, for example a continuous rotational motion, an oscillatory rotary motion or an axial reciprocating motion, or a combination of these.

In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the motion generating means is adapted to impart a gentle continuous or oscillating rotary motion to the cosmetic pad, and about an axis generally perpendicular to the surface of the pad, together with an axial reciprocating movement along that axis. This has the effect of vibrating and toning the skin and underlying muscle at the same time as working in fluent material applied to the pad to the skin area.

Thus, in accordance with a particularly preferred feature of the present invention, there is provided cosmetic application apparatus comprising a cosmetic applicator pad, a casing partly surrounding the pad, and means for rotating the casing and simultaneously axially vibrating the casing, and means for generating the rotational and vibrational movement thereof.

The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows one form of applicator pad and casing Figure 2 shows an alternative form of applicator pad and casing Figure 3 shows a further alternative Figure 4 shows a further alternative Figure 5 shows a yet further alternative and Figure 6 is a schematic view of a complete applicator apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows in cross section an assembly of a casing 1 and an applicator pad 2. In plan, both are circular.

As shown on the lower right of the drawing, the casing 1 may be formed into a hollow into which a cylindrical disc of absorbent fabric material 2 may be inserted. Once inserted, the centre of the casing 1 is pressed in the direction of the arrow 3 and once it reaches a certain point with respect to the rim of the casing, it snaps into the "ready for use" position shown at the top left of Figure 1. In this position, the edges of disc 2 are gripped.

The edges of the casing 1 can be held between the fingers, enabling the apparatus to be moved across the skin while being pressed against the skin. Lotion may be applied to the pad 2 either prior to its being inserted into casing 1 or subsequently.

When it is desired to replace pad 2, pressure is simply exerted in the direction of arrow 4 while holding the rim of the casing until the casing flips over into the position shown at the lower right of Figure 1. The pad can then simply be removed and a new one inserted.

Referring to Figure 2, the casing in this embodiment consists of two parts, viz. a central rubber moulded disc 10 and an outer ring 11. By flexing the disc 10, it can be pulled inwards to enable its outer periphery to be inserted within the inner periphery of ring 11 with a pad of absorbent felt 12 held between members 10 and 11.

The apparatus according to Figure 3 consists of a casing 20 against which a pad 21 is held via a friction pin 22.

The construction shown in Figure 4 is analogous to that shown in Figure 1 but with a slightly different shape of outer casing 30 which is adapted as shown at the top left in Figure 4 to grip the periphery of a circular absorbent pad 31.

All of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 are convenient for use simply held in the hand.

The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is particularly of value when it is desired to mount the casing and pad on apparatus for subjecting the casing to regular movement.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the casing consists of an external ring 40 and an internal resilient member 41 which has a cylindrical sleeve portion 42 and a plurality of resilient vanes 43. The outer ring 40 has a lip on which a pad 44 may be rested. The vanes 43, in the condition shown in the centre of Figure 5, can then be laid on top of pad 44 within the circumference of ring 43. By pressing down the cylindrical sleeve portion 42, the centre portion consisting of cylindrical portion 42 and a web 46 can be pushed "over centre" to secure a pad 44 captive between ring 40 and the vanes 43.

Sleeve 42 may either be grasped externally by the fingers and thumb of the user or may be mounted on a suitable spigot attached to mechanical movement means.

Figure 6 is a simple schematic representation of a device 50 having a handle 51, finger operated switch 52, outer casing 53 and head 54. Within the outer casing 53 is located a suitable electrically driven rotary and vibrational movement device (not illustrated in more detail) which has an output shaft 56 having a counterbore 57 in one end thereof.

Fitted into counterbore 57 is one end of a stud 58, the other end of which is fitted into a socket 59 formed in a casing number 60. Together with an outer ring 61, casing member 60 holds captive a cosmetic lotion applicator pad 62.

In use, on actuating switch 52, electrical energy supplied via a mains lead 63 causes a motor in casing 53 to move spigot 56 about its axis in a rotational movement and axially by a small amount, e.g. 1 to 2 millimetres and at a frequency of, e.g. 30 to 60 Hz. Fluent cosmetic material applied to pad 62 may then be massaged with simultaneous vibration into the skin of the user by holding the apparatus shown in Figure 7 appropriately against the user's skin.

Claims (7)

1. An applicator of fluent material to the skin of a user, comprising a casing or backing plate and a pad of porous or permeable material, the casing being adapted to retain the pad thereon, or to have the pad retained thereon, the casing being intended to be held by hand or on apparatus designed to impart mechanical movement to the applicator.

2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, in which the borders of the casing are movable relative to the centre thereof between two stable positions, in one of which the border of the pad is freely insertable between cooperating portions of the casing, and in the other of which the pad border is clamped between the cooperating portions.

3. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, in which an annular clip is adapted to engage the border of the casing in a detachable manner and to clamp the pad border between itself and the casing.

4. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, in which the pad is adapted to be secured to the casing by a central retainer adapted to clamp an inner annulus of the pad between itself and the casing.

5. An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the casing is domed when in its working position with the pad secured to it.

6. An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the casing has means projecting from it for securing it to a movable member of a hand-held device for generating mechanical movement.

7. An applicator as claimed in claim 6 when in position on a device for imparting rotary and/or vibratory movement to the casing.