Field

[001 ] The present disclosure relates to skin cleansing apparatus, and more particularly to motorized handheld skin cleansing apparatus having a motor driven skin cleansing head. More particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure also relates to handheld facial cleansing apparatus and cleansing attachments therefor.

Background

[002] Skin cleansing promotes good skin hygiene and is an important step in preparation of many types of skin care procedures. Typical skin cleansing involves a step of skin scrubbing using skin cleansing agents. Skin scrubbing may be by hand or with the aid of a skin cleansing apparatus such as one having a motorized cleansing head like a motor driven brush. While various motorized skin cleansing apparatus are available, skin cleansing apparatus with enhanced hygienic properties are desirable.

Summary

[003] There is provided a skin cleansing apparatus comprising a main housing, a motor drive mechanism inside the main housing and comprising a motor, a handgrip portion on the main housing and a head portion projecting from the main housing; wherein the head portion comprises a cleansing head which is to be driven by the motor to perform skin cleansing during operation and a peripheral skirt surrounding the cleansing head, and wherein the peripheral skirt is to act against or reduce splashing from the cleansing head during operation when the cleansing head is in contact with the skin of a user and driven by the motor.

[004] In an example, the motor is to drive the cleansing head into rotation relative to the peripheral skirt about an axis of rotation during cleansing operation.

[005] In an example, the cleansing head is preset into rotation in opposition directions alternately during operation.

[006] The cleansing head may stop in between rotation in opposition directions, and the stopping time in between rotation in opposite directions is substantially less than the time of rotation in one direction.

[007] In an example, the time of rotation in one direction is more than 200ms, preferably more than 400ms, and the stopping time in between rotation in opposite directions is between 20ms and 100ms.

[008] The rotation frequency of the movable head may be between 150-650Hz, and preferably at between 200 to 500 Hz.

[009] In an example, the handgrip portion defines a handle axis, the cleansing head extends upwardly from the handgrip portion and projects at a projection angle to the handle axis such that the cleansing head is to rotate about an axis of rotation during operation, the axis of rotation being at the projection angle relative to the handle axis.

[0010] The projection angle between the axis of rotation and the handle axis may be between 100 and 160 degrees, preferably between 130 to 160 degrees, and more preferably at 145 degrees.

[001 1 ] In an example, an operation switch is disposed on a surface of the handgrip portion which is to face a user during normal operation such that the operation switch is thumb operable by the user during skin cleansing operation.

[0012] The operation switch may be formed on a plane comprising the handle axis and the axis of rotation.

[0013] For example, the peripheral skirt comprises a row of bristles surrounding the cleansing head to define an anti-splashing skirt or an anti-splashing screen.

[0014] The row of bristles on the peripheral skirt may project above the cleansing head and extends in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0015] The cleansing head may comprise concentric rows of bristles and the row of bristles of the peripheral skirt is concentric to and surrounds the rows of bristles of the cleansing head.

[0016] In an example, the head portion may comprise a mounting member on which the cleansing head and the peripheral skirt are mounted, wherein the cleansing head is movably mounted on the mounting member and the peripheral skirt is fixedly mounted on the mounting member.

[0017] The mounting member may comprise a mounting collar which is in releasable latched engagement with the main housing, and the cleansing head is urged away from the main housing when the mounting collar is in said latched engagement with the main housing.

[0018] Complementary bayonet coupling parts may be formed separately on the mounting collar and the main housing.

[0019] In an example, the main housing comprises a coupling collar which projects from the main housing to define the bayonet coupling part on the main housing, the coupling collar surrounding a driving shaft of the motor drive mechanism.

[0020] The mounting member may comprise a mounting base on which the peripheral skirt is formed, the mounting base defines a finger grip portion opposite the main housing to facilitate mounting and removable of the head portion.

[0021 ] The mounting base may include a hollow holder on which the peripheral skirt is held on its edge, the hollow holder including a substantially parabolic shaped base member which extends upwardly and transversely from the mounting collar, the portion of the substantially parabolic shaped base member facing the main housing defining a finger grip portion. [0022] The mounting member may comprise an adapter member on which the cleansing brush is mounted, the adapter member being surrounded by and being rotatable relative to the mounting base.

[0023] The cleansing brush may mounted on one side of the adapter member and the other side of the adapter member is coupled to a driving shaft of the motor drive mechanism, the bristles being parallel to the shaft axis.

[0024] The adapter member may be urged into full engagement with the driving shaft when the mounting collar and the main housing are in latched engagement.

[0025] There is also provides a skin cleansing attachment comprising a base member and a head portion mounted on the base member, wherein the head portion comprises a cleansing head which is to be driven by a motor drive mechanism to perform skin cleansing and a peripheral skirt which surrounds the cleansing head, wherein the peripheral skirt is to act against or reduce splashing from the cleansing head during operation when the cleansing head is in contact with the skin of the user and driven by the motor, and the base member is adapted to make releasable mechanical coupling with a driving shaft of a handheld device comprising a motor drive mechanism and arranged to deliver motor drive through the driving shaft.

[0026] The head portion may comprise a mounting member on which the cleansing head and the peripheral skirt are mounted, wherein the cleansing head is rotatably mounted on the mounting member and the peripheral skirt is fixedly mounted on the mounting member.

[0027] In another aspect, there is provided a skin cleansing apparatus comprising a main housing, a motor drive mechanism inside the main housing and comprising a motor, a handgrip portion on the main housing and a head portion projecting from the main housing, the head portion comprising a cleansing head which is to be driven by the motor to perform skin cleansing during operation; wherein the cleansing head comprising a skin contact portion of a hydrophilic foamed material such as foamed hydrophilic polyurethane.

[0028] The skin contact portion may have a tapered end and/or a rounded end.

[0029] The tapered end of the skin contact portion may be sized to clean a facial corner at the nasal-facial junction or the nasal-eye junction of a user.

[0030] The skin contact portion may be spherical and/or comprises a honeycombed surface to facilitate exfoliation.

[0031 ] In yet another aspect, there is provided a skin care apparatus comprising a main housing, a handgrip portion on the main housing defining a handle axis, a motor drive mechanism in the main housing, and a head portion projecting from the main housing, wherein a driving shaft for delivering motor drive power of the motor drive mechanism is provided at the head portion, and the driving shaft is at an obtuse angle to the handgrip portion such that the head portion is facing a user at an upward facing angle when the handgrip portion is handheld by the user during normal use. [0032] In an example, the obtuse angle is between 130 ^° to 160 ^° . The obtuse angle is preferably at or about 145 ^° .

[0033] The head portion may comprises a coupling part for making releasable mechanical coupling with a cleansing attachment comprising a cleansing head such that the cleansing head is engaged with the driving shaft and rotatable thereby.

Description of Figures

[0034] Example skin cleansing apparatus and accessories therefor will be described by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a skin cleansing apparatus according to the present disclosure,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a handheld cleansing head driver of the skin cleansing apparatus of Figure 1 ,

Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of the cleansing head driver of Figure 2,

Figure 2B is a partially exploded view of the cleansing head driver of Figure 2,

Figures 3 and 3A are first and second perspective views of a head portion skin cleansing apparatus of Figure 2,

Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the head portion of Figure 3,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of another skin cleansing apparatus according to the present disclosure,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another skin cleansing apparatus according to the present disclosure,

Figures 5A & 5B are perspective views of a cleansing head of the skin cleansing apparatus of Figure 5,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another skin cleansing apparatus according to the present disclosure, and

Figures 6A & 6B are perspective views of a cleansing head of the skin cleansing apparatus of Figure 6.

Description

[0035] A skin cleansing apparatus 10 depicted in Figures 1 , 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A and 3B comprises a cleansing head driver 100 and a head portion 200 projecting from the cleansing head driver. The cleansing head driver 100 comprises a plastic main housing 110 on which a handgrip portion 114 to facilitate handheld operation by a user is defined. Compartments are defined inside the main housing 110 to hold a motor drive mechanism which is adapted to drive a cleansing head into skin cleansing motion during normal operation. The motor drive mechanism includes a motor 120, a gear train 122, a driving shaft 124, controlling circuitry 126 and batteries 128. The driving shaft 124 is an output end of the motor drive mechanism which is adapted to couple drive power generated by the motor to the cleansing head to to perform skin cleansing. In operation, the driving shaft 124 will be driven by the motor 120 and the gear train 122 to generate skin cleansing motion. The handgrip portion 114 is sized and shaped for handheld operation by a user and extends along a length of the main housing. The handgrip portion 114 defines a handle axis or a handgrip axis A-A' which is also an axis of lateral symmetry of the main housing. The lateral axis of symmetry is parallel to a longitudinal axis which extends along the length of the main housing. The batteries provide a stored energy source to drive the motor drive mechanism so that the apparatus can be used as a portable or mobile device.

[0036] Operation switches 112a, 112b are disposed on the main housing 110 and are accessible by a user to facilitate user control and operation of the cleansing apparatus. The operation switches include an ON/OFF switch 112a for turning on or turning off the motor and a mode switch 112b for selecting an operation mode. The operation switches 112a, 112b are arranged in a straight line so that a user can conveniently move an operation finger between the ON/OFF and the mode selection switches. The straight line along which the switches 112a, 112b are disposed is parallel or substantially parallel to the handgrip axis A- A' for ergonomic operations. A single ON/OFF switch 112a may be sufficient if only a basic ON/OFF operation is needed. The ON/OFF switch 112a and/or the mode selection switch 112b are disposed at a location on the main housing that is within reach of the thumb of a user when the user is holding the cleansing apparatus by the handgrip portion to facilitate single handed operation. Such an arrangement means that the operation switch is or the operation switches are disposed on a plane containing both the rotation axis B-B' of the driving shaft 124 and the handle axis A-A'. The switch location is facing or opposite the user during normal use so that the operation switch or operation switches can be thumb operated. The portion of the main housing at which the head portion projects is chambered and defines a surface which inclines towards the side of the main housing on which the switches are located or which faces a user during normal operation. The inclined surface provides an exit end on the main housing for the head portion to project at an angle a to the handgrip axis. The free end of the driving shaft 124 has a polygonal shape to facilitate non-slip complementary engagement with the cleaning head 220.

[0037] The head portion 200 includes a cleansing head 220 and a peripheral skirt 240 which surrounds the cleansing head 220. The cleansing head is to perform skin cleansing operations during normal operation when driven into a cleansing motion by the motor. Scrubbing, brushing and/or agitation are typical examples of skin cleansing motion which is to be performed by the cleansing head 220. For example, the cleansing motion is generated by rotation and/or vibration of the cleansing head. The head portion projects upwardly from the handgrip portion at an angle a to the handle axis A-A' when the main housing is vertical with the head portion above the main housing. So that the cleansing head will project forward of the main housing and projects towards or approach the skin of a user during normal use when a user holds the handgrip portion vertically in an economically manner, the preferred angle a is in the range of 130 ^° to 160 ^° , and 145 ^° is a good angle obtained empirically. The range of the projection angle a can be extended to1 10 ^° to 170 ^° without loss of generality. [0038] The handgrip portion is elongate and adapted such that when the handgrip portion is gripped by the hand of a user in an ergonomic manner, the handle axis A-A' will be surrounded by the hand of the user and the head portion will project forward of the handgrip and approach the user. The head portion projects at an angle to the handle axis such that the head portion will project towards a user during normal use when the head portion is in contact with the skin of a user.

[0039] The cleansing head 220 of the skin cleansing apparatus is adapted to cleanse skin through cleansing motion such as agitation, brushing and scrubbing. Since skin cleansing is usually performed with the aid of cleansing agents such as cleansing powder, cleansing liquid or cleansing gel, adverse cleansing by-products comprising a mixture of used cleansing agents and adverse body by-products will be produced in the course of skin cleansing. Such adverse cleansing by-products, usually in liquid form, typically comprise grease, dirt, dead skin, skin flakes, and hair, and are not entirely hygienic. However, the adverse by-products may be splattered, scattered or splashed by the cleansing head as an adverse side effect of skin cleansing motion and are not desirable. In this apparatus, the head portion 200 includes a peripheral skirt 240 to contain adverse by products during skin cleansing operation.

[0040] The peripheral skirt 240 is provided to mitigate splattering, scattering or splashing of adverse by-products from the skin surface during skin cleansing operation when the cleansing head is in put into contact with the skin surface by a user and the cleansing head driven into cleansing motion by the motor. The peripheral skirt is arranged to act as an anti- splashing skirt or as an anti-splashing screen around the movable cleansing head to mitigate splattering, scattering or splashing of such adverse by-products.

[0041 ] As shown in Figures 1 , 3, 3A and 3B, the head portion 200 comprises a mounting member 242 on which the cleansing head 220 and the peripheral skirt 240 are mounted. The mounting member 242 comprises a hollow plastic body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises a curved body of bowl or parabolic shape. A row of bristles is mounted on the rim or lateral bounder of the curved body to form the peripheral skirt and to define an anti-splashing screen or anti-splashing fence. Each of the bristles extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the driving shaft which also defines an axis of rotation. The row of anti-splashing bristles is concentric to the rotation axis and comprises tufts or clusters of bristles which are densely placed to form a fence-like anti-splashing layer of a sufficient bristle density and sufficient shielding strength or resistance against splashing, scattering or splattering of adverse by-products by the cleansing head during cleansing operation. Each bristle tuft or cluster comprises a plurality of bristles in a radial direction to the driving shaft to define a bristle row of adequate thickness to enhance shielding strength and/or shielding resistance against splashed substances, especially liquid borne adverse byproducts. As an example, 3-8 bristles are disposed in the radial direction in a bristle tuft to provide sufficient thickness. In general, the anti-splashing bristles are closely packed such that free ends of adjacent bristles are touching or overlapping with each other to define an anti-splashing screen or fence. The peripheral skirt projects above the cleansing surface defined by the cleansing head to be explained.

[0042] The lower portion of the mounting member comprises a collar portion 244 which forms a mechanical coupling interface between the main housing and the bristle support portion of the head portion. The collar portion 244 is formed on the underside of the parabolic shaped curved body and coaxial with the central axis of the curved body. The central axis is also an axis of symmetry of the curved body and also the axis of rotation of the output shaft. The collar portion is a narrowed tubular portion which retracts radially from the rim of the curved body. The portion on the underside of the curved body between the rim and the collar defines a finger grip region to facilitate removal or replacement of the cleansing head with fingers. The collar portion also includes a coupling part for making releasable mechanical coupling or latching with the main housing to be explained.

[0043] The cleansing head 220 is movably mounted on the mounting member 242 and comprises a cleansing head of bristles which is mounted on an adapter member 222. The cleansing head is substantially a skin cleansing brush comprising a plurality of bristle tufts each of which is parallel to the rotation axis and which are organized into a plurality of concentric rows surrounding a central tuft located on the rotation axis of the cleansing head. The adapter member 222 comprises a plastic main body which is movably mounted on the mounting member 242. The adapter member is rotatable relative to the mounting member and comprises a coupling member which couples with the driving shaft 124 and is to rotate about the axis of rotation when driven by the driving shaft. The coupling member has a shape that is complementary to that of the free end of the driving shaft 124 for non-slip coupling. The main body comprises an upper portion which defines a base or floor 224 on which the bristles are mounted and a lower portion on which the drive coupling member 226 is defined. The drive coupling member 226 comprises a tubular portion which defines a collar member surrounding the driving shaft in a closely fitted manner. The collar member is coaxial with the axis of rotation and is adapted for making rotational engagement with the driving shaft. The base of the cleansing head for mounting the bristles is circular or substantially circular with its rim touching or almost touching and surrounded by the curved body of the mounting member. The collar member of the cleansing head is surrounded by the collar portion of the mounting member. In other word, the adapter member of the cleansing head is surrounding by the mounting member of head portion.

[0044] In this example, the peripheral skirt projects above the cleansing head by about 1 mm during operation when the cleansing head is in driving engagement with the driving shaft. The bristles on the peripheral skirt have a height of 12mm and diameter of 0.08mm, while the bristles on the cleansing brush have a height of 1 1 mm and the same diameter of 0.08mm. As the bristle mounting floor on the adapter member of the cleansing brush and the rim of the mounting member are flush or leveled with each other during operation, the bristles on the peripheral skirt defines an effective anti-splashing shield which surrounds and projects above the cleansing head.

[0045] As depicted in Figure 2A, the motor 120 is mounted in a compartment defined in the main housing, the motor is driven by batteries stored in another compartment in the main housing and the output drive of the motor is transmitted to the driving shaft 124 by means of the gear train 122. The end of the gear train comprises a bevel gear adapted to change the output angle to the angle a to operate the cleansing head at that angle. The speed and direction of rotation of the motor is controlled by control circuitry mounted in the main housing and operation switches on the surface of the main housing that is opposite a user during use. The driving shaft is at an obtuse angle to the handgrip portion as defined by the handle axis. [0046] In this example, the obtuse angle is 145 degrees. This driving shaft angle also determines the angle of projection of the head portion relative to the main housing for ergonomic operation. In this example, the unloaded motor speed is between 400 rpm and 245rpm with 15% tolerance. The driving shaft can be controlled to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise. In an example mode, the brushing head rotates for 400ms in the clockwise direction, stop for 50ms, and then rotates for 400ms in the counterclockwise direction. This example sequence will repeat until a user changes the mode or turn the apparatus off.

[0047] As depicted in Figures 2 and 2B, a bayonet socket is formed on a collar portion which coaxially surrounds the driving shaft 124 and is projected from the main housing at the angle a. The bayonet socket is complementary to a bayonet plug on the cleansing head to facilitate releasable mechanical fastening between the cleansing head and the main housing. The bayonet parts provide an example of releasable coupling parts. The bayonet plug can be formed on the main housing and the bayonet socket may be formed on the cleansing head. As an alternative, complementary threaded portions may be used to facilitate such releasable mechanical coupling between the cleansing head and the main housing.

[0048] In an example as depicted in Figures 2 and 3, the head portion 200 is detachable from the main housing 110 and complementary engagement parts are formed on corresponding locations of the head portion and the main housing to facilitate releasable latching. As depicted in Figures 2A and 3B, complementary bayonet parts are formed on the inner side on collar portion 244 on the lower portion of the mounting member and on the outer side of a collar portion 130 projecting from the chamfered end of the main housing to facilitate making of releasable engagement between the main housing and the head portion. A skin cleansing apparatus comprising a detachable cleansing head is advantageous because it is possible to remove the cleansing head for cleansing or for head replacement. On the other hand, the head portion can be permanently attached to the main housing without loss of generality. It will be appreciated that the driver apparatus of the type depicted in Figure 2 can be used with attachments to be selected by a user.

[0049] When using the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3, a user will apply cleansing agents on the skin, hold the skin cleansing apparatus on the handgrip portion and then turn on the motor by depressing the ON/OFF switch. The user may also select the operation mode by operating the mode switch. The operation modes that are available for selection in this example include CW rotation, CCW rotation, and alternate CW and CCW rotation. When the skin cleansing apparatus is in operation, a user will apply the moving cleansing head onto the skin, for example the face of a user. The example skin cleansing apparatus is suitable for facial cleansing because of the angular projected cleansing head. During skin cleansing operation, the skin will be cleaned by skin cleansing motion of the cleansing head when driven by the motor drive mechanism. The adverse by-products of skin cleansing are substantially confined or contained by the peripheral skirt. After skin cleansing, the head portion can be removed for cleansing. In order that the skin cleansing apparatus can be used with liquid cleansing agents, the driver apparatus and more particularly the main housing of the driver apparatus is substantially water tight or waterproof.

[0050] In another example of a skin cleansing apparatus 20 depicted in Figure 4, the cleansing head is directly driven by a motor and no gear train is present. Apart from the difference in the motor drive mechanism, the other features and properties are the same as the apparatus of Figure 1 and the description relating to that example is incorporated herein by reference without loss of generality. As the parts are substantially identical or otherwise equivalent, the description of the apparatus and equivalent parts of the apparatus are incorporated herein by reference with appropriate adaptation and by adding 100 to the value of numbers. Similarly, the head portion can be permanently fixed on the driver apparatus or detachable therefrom without loss of generality.

[0051 ] In another example of a skin cleansing apparatus 30 depicted in Figure 5, the same driver apparatus 100 as that of Figure 2 is used in combination with a different head portion 300. The head portion 300 of the apparatus of Figure 5 comprises a cleansing head having a skin contact portion of foamed materials such as hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The skin contact portion comprises a tapered or conical end to facilitate cleansing of cornered regions such as the junction between the face and nose and/or between the eye and the nose. The skin contact portion is mounted on an upper side of a plastic mounting base and a neck portion on the lower portion of the mounting base includes mechanically a coupling device for coupling to the driving shaft of the driver apparatus similar to that in the head portion of Figure 3. The hydrophilic polyurethane foam is found empirically to be especially good for the more sensitive facial skin. As depicted in Figures 5A and 5B, the head portion 300 can be detached from the driver apparatus. In use, the skin contact portion of hydrophilic polyurethane foam is driven into cleansing motion by the motor drive mechanism of the driver apparatus 100 and the properties of the cleansing head which comprises the hydrophilic polyurethane foam is operable to provide a gentle and effective cleansing motion to cleanse the more sensitive skin or cornered regions.

[0052] In another example of a skin cleansing apparatus 40 depicted in Figure 4, the same driver apparatus 100 as that of Figure 2 is used in combination with a different head portion 400. The head portion of the apparatus of Figure 6 comprises a cleansing head having a rounded skin contact portion of foamed resilient materials such as hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The skin contact portion comprises a rounded end having a honeycomb surface. The honeycomb surface is found to be good for exfoliation. Although round holes are depicted on the rounded cleaning head in Figure 6, cornered or polygonal shaped apertures are preferred. The formed material portion of the cleansing head is substantially spherical and mounted on a mounting base similar to that of the brush head 200 and the tapered head 300 and the description of the relevant parts is incorporated herein by reference. In use, the honeycombed skin cleansing surface is applied against the skin, for example, the facial skin of a user. Rotation of the cleansing clean will cause the honeycombed surface to interact with the skin surface with twisting moment to provide effective yet gentle cleansing. Edges of each honeycomb element will cooperate to act like tweezers to help remove hair, dead skin or other loose dirt or debris on a users face or skin. Likewise, the cleansing head can be detached from the driver apparatus or permanently attached thereto without loss of generality.

[0053] While the above examples have been used to explain the disclosure, it should be appreciated that the examples are non-limiting examples and should not be used to limit the scope of disclosure. For example, while the various skin cleansing apparatus share a common driver apparatus, different types of driver apparatus can be used. For example, the head portions of Figure 3, 5 and 6 can be used in combination with a driver having a driving shaft coaxial with or at right angle to the handle axis without adversely affecting its anti- splashing properties.