FIELD

[0001 ]This document relates to personal care products. More specifically, this document relates to devices and methods for temporarily reducing neck wrinkles.

SUMMARY

[0002]The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the detailed description, but not to define or delimit any invention.

[0003] Disclosed herein is an adhesive skin-holding device for temporarily reducing skin wrinkles in the prominent front area of the user’s neck, thus achieving a temporary youthful appearance of the user.

[0004] Disclosed herein, a method of reducing neck wrinkles, the method comprising the steps of : compressing loose neck skin at a back of user’s neck with a first hand such that a compressing force is applied by a thumb and an index finger, causing at the same time stretching of the skin in a front part of the user’s neck to substantially eliminated wrinkles appearing in the front part of the user’s neck; applying a skin-holding device, wherein the device comprises a backing comprising a resilient woven material having an adhesive layer on one surface, and a removable liner adhered to the adhesive layer, a first end region with a rounded first corner, a second end region with a rounded second corner, and an intermediate segment coupling the first end region and the second end, wherein the skin-holding device is applied by:

(i) partially removing the liner from one end of the device and holding the device in a second hand;

(ii) reaching back with the first hand without releasing the compressing force applied by the thumb and the index finger; (iii) aligning the device symmetrically over a backbone of the user at the neck, and below the fingers holding the skin, placing one end of the device with the removed liner just below the thumb of the first hand used to compress the skin and pressing the first end of the device firmly onto the neck;

(iv) pulling the device by the second end while maintaining the device perpendicular to the backbone and parallel to the user’s shoulders, removing reminder of the liner, placing the second end of the device just below the index finger of the first hand used to compress the skin;

(v) firmly pressing the device against the skin, and gently massaging a surface of the device away from the intermediate segment to edges of the device remove air bubbles trapped between the skin and device, and to achieve a bond to the skin; and

(vi) releasing the hands after the device has been applied.

[0005] Disclosed herein, a skin restraining device comprising: a backing comprising a resilient woven material having an adhesive layer on one surface, wherein the material comprises a greater length stretch ratio in one lengthwise direction than a width stretch ratio in a widthwise direction; a removable liner adhered to the adhesive layer to protect the adhesive layer prior to use of the device; a first end region with a rounded first corner, a second end region with a rounded second corner, and an intermediate segment coupling the first end region and the second end region; wherein a width of the intermediate segment is less than a width of the first end region and the width of the intermediate segment is less than a width of the second end region, such that the width of the intermediate segment gradually diminishes between the first end region and a center of the intermediate segment, and the width of the intermediate segment gradually diminishes between the second end region and the center of the intermediate segment. [0006] Disclosed herein a method for restraining neck skin on a back of a user’s neck, the method comprising the steps of: applying a force is applied to compress loose neck skin at the back of user’s neck and place the loose neck skin in a compressed state, thereby causing at the same time stretching of the skin in a front part of the user’s neck; applying a skin restraining device on the back of the user’s neck to maintain the compressed state, such that the front area of the user’s neck is stretched to temporarily diminish wrinkles in the front area of the user’s neck.

[0007] The device can in some examples be easily applied by the user, generally invisible or minimally visible to bystanders, and worn without undue discomfort to the user.

[0008]The device can in some examples be inexpensive, disposable, and can be used by both men and women.

[0009]The device can restrain neck skin in the back of the user’s neck to temporarily diminish wrinkles in the front area of the user’s neck. The method can involve compressing loose neck skin at the back of user’s neck, causing at the same time stretching of the skin in the front part of the user’s neck. The skin-holding device, when applied, holds compressed skin at the back of the user’s neck and stretches the skin at the front of the user’s neck. Wrinkles are generally not visible at the front area of the user’s neck because of the stretching of the skin at the front of the neck.

[0010]The method can include preparing the device by removing a liner from the device to expose the adhesive, determining the proper location on the back of user’s neck to place the skin-holding device, assessing the required extent of the skin’s compression to eliminate wrinkles in the front area of user’s neck, and applying the device. The method can also include possible use of a chemical solution applied to the device with or without wicks incorporated into the device, where backing material or backing material and the wicks spread the chemical solution in the adhesive layer, allowing for painless removal of the device. [0011] Determining the proper location on the back of user’s neck to place the skin holding device and assessing the required extent of the skin’s compression can be done by reaching to the back of the neck and placing the thumb on one side of the neck and the index finger on the other side of the neck (between 100 mm and 150 mm apart, symmetrically on both sides of the backbone, approximately in the middle of the neck’s length) and compressing the skin at the back of the neck by contracting the thumb and the index finger. The user can observe the effect in the front area of the neck’s skin and thus try find the best location of the fingers and the smallest possible compressing force needed to achieve the desired effect.

[0012] Applying the device can be done by reaching back with the other hand (which is holding the device with the liner partially removed from one end of the device) without releasing the compressing force applied by the thumb and index finger, aligning the device symmetrically over the backbone (using the backbone as the axis of symmetry) and below the fingers holding the skin, placing one end of the skin-holding device with removed liner just below the thumb of the hand used to compress the skin and pressing this end of the device firmly onto the neck, pulling the device by the other end while maintaining the device perpendicular to the backbone and parallel to the shoulders, removing reminder of the liner, placing the other end of the device just below the index finger of the hand used to compress the skin, firmly pressing the whole device against the skin, and gently massaging the surface of the device away from the centre of the device to the edges to get rid of air bubbles trapped between skin and device, and to achieve a bond to the skin. Both hands can be released after the device has been applied.

[0013]The skin-holding device can hold compressed skin at the back of the user’s neck. Because the skin in the front of the neck is stretched, wrinkles are generally not visible at the front of the user’s neck when the device is applied (or the visibility of such wrinkles is reduced or minimized). The device can be easily applied and removed at the user’s will. Multiple devices can be used in the case that the user’s anatomy (e.g. a long neck) requires a larger area to be supported. Also, the skin holding device can be trimmed by the user to conform to the desired shape and size of the neck area being covered. [0014] In some examples, the skin-holding device includes a backing made from a high-stretch woven material (e.g. cotton) having an adhesive on one surface thereof in a discontinuous pattern. The material can be high-stretch in one direction (e.g. along its width) and minimally stretchable in another direction (i.e. along its length). The adhesive can be a medical grade adhesive made of a biocompatible hypoallergenic, pressure sensitive adhesive. A removable liner can be adhered to the adhesive to protect the adhesive prior to use of the device.

[0015]The skin-holding device can be elastic, can adhere well to the skin, and can be permeable to water vapor, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.

[0016] Upon application to the skin, the device can hold compressed skin at the back of the neck. This can cause tensile stress in the skin of the front neck area, consequently stretching the skin of the front neck area and reducing wrinkles at the front of the neck. The shape of the skin-holding device can be configured to cover the minimum area of the neck so as to prevent user’s discomfort. The material can be flexible, allowing the device to be used on the neck, which is one of the areas of the body susceptible to high mobility. The elasticity of the backing material can in some examples, prevent unnecessary overstretch of the user’s skin.

[0017] In some examples, the skin-holding device can be translucent. Alternatively, the skin-holding device can be skin-toned (and can be offered in a variety of tones). Furthermore, the user’s hair, a collar, or a scarf can additionally cover the device. However, the backing material of the device can also be colored or printed with a design or a tattoo imitation.

[0018] In some examples, the adhesive is formulated to avoid skin irritation when applied even to sensitive skin and especially to the skin of elderly people. The adhesive can retain its bond to allow the user to be engaged in physical activity without loosening of the adhesive’s grip. The length of time for which the device can be applied continuously can be several days, for example up to two weeks, depending on the materials used.

[0019] A middle section of the skin-holding device can be non-adhesive (e.g. by covering adhesive with a cotton pad, or by omitting the adhesive on that section), in order to minimize or reduce skin irritation in that section. [0020]A removable liner (also referred to as a release liner) can be placed over the adhesive side of the device to prevent early exposure of the adhesive to external elements, and can be easily peeled off from the adhesive.

[0021] In some examples, multiple wicks incorporated into the backing material or into the adhesive layer can make the process of removing the device painless by spreading chemical solvent solution within the adhesive layer.

[0022]The skin-holding device can be disposable and configured for temporary use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a user’s neck depicting front and back areas of the neck.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the effect of the user compressing the skin manually at the back neck area.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the details of manual compression of the skin in the area at the back of the neck.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the application of an example skin-holding device to the user’s neck.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a top view (from the backing side) of the skin-holding device of FIG.

4.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane X-X of the device from FIG.

5.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane X-X of the device from FIG. 5, which has been applied to the user’s skin.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a plan view (from the liner side) of the skin-holding device of FIG.5. [0032] FIG. 9 is a plan view (from the adhesive side after removing the liner 4) of the skin-holding device of FIG. 5.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a plan view (from the adhesive side after removing the liner) of another example skin-holding device.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a plan view (from the adhesive side after removing the liner) of yet another example skin-holding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035]Various apparatuses or processes or compositions will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter. No embodiment described below limits any claim and any claim may cover processes or apparatuses or compositions that differ from those described below. The claims are not limited to apparatuses or processes or compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus or process or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or processes or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process or composition described below is not an embodiment of any exclusive right granted by issuance of this patent application. Any subject matter described below and for which an exclusive right is not granted by issuance of this patent application may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such subject matter by its disclosure in this document.

[0036] FIG.1 is a perspective view of a neck 8 of a user 7. The neck 8 is divided into two sub-areas: the front neck area 9, and the back neck area 10 that encompasses the region of backbone 12. The imaginary borderline 11 between front neck area 9 and back neck area 10 is drawn down from the back of the user’s ear 18 to the top of user’s shoulder 17 on both sides of the user’s neck 8. Due for example to aging or weight loss, the skin is loose and forms visible folds and wrinkles 13 in the front neck area 9. [0037] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the principle that allows the skin-holding device 1 to deliver the desired effect. The user 7 contracts the excess of the skin in the back neck area 10 using the index finger 16 and the thumb 15 of the hand 14. This stretches the skin in the front neck area 9 in direction shown by arrows H. After applying the skin-holding device 1 to the back neck area 10 the device 1 will keep the skin in the proper arrangement stretching the skin in the front neck area 9. The optimal location of the device 1 depends on the user’s anatomy and the desired configuration can readily be determined by the user. The user 7 predetermines the proper placement of the device 1 on the neck 8 by manually stretching the skin in the front neck area 9 by compressing the skin in the back neck area 10 using the thumb 15 and index finger 16. The user 7 can find the desired location for the skin holding device 1 and also the best amount of compression for the skin in the back neck area 10 by placing fingers in different locations along the backbone 12 and by applying different forces to compress the skin in the back neck area 10 and at the same time stretch the skin in the front neck area 9.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the process of application of the device 1 to the user’s neck 8. To secure the device 1 to the neck 8, first the release liner 4 can be removed (entirely or partially) from the device 1 to expose the adhesive 3 (which can be a medical grade pressure-sensitive). The user 7 contracts the index finger 16 and the thumb 15 to compress the skin in the back neck area 10 to cause stretching of the skin in the front neck area 9, before the device 1 is applied. The skin-holding device 1 is placed over the back neck area 10 such that the intermediate segment 21 traverses the backbone 12 and the first and second end regions 19 and 20 are close to the border 11 of the front neck area 9. The device 1 can be placed symmetrically on both sides of the user’s backbone 12 and in parallel to the line of the user’s shoulders 17. The point of application of the device 1 can be close to the index finger 16 and the thumb 15 locations. When the skin is manually compressed within the back neck area 10, the skin-holding device 1 is adhered over the compressed skin in the user’s back neck area 10 using other hand 14A. Upon securing of the device 1 to the neck 8, the fingers 13 and 14 applying the stretching force may be released. [0039]After securing the device 1 the adhesive bond and resiliency of the material (i.e. , the tendency of the resilient backing 2 to return to its normal dimensions) act to hold excess of the skin on the neck 8 in the desirable configuration and thereby prevent the skin in the front neck area 9 from forming wrinkles 13. The resilient tension put forth by the adhered skin-holding device 1 holds the compressed skin under the skin-holding device 1 stretching skin in the front neck area 9 in the direction of arrows H flattening and smoothing the wrinkles 13 in the front neck area 9.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows one example of the shape of the skin-holding device 1. The device 1 can be divided into three distinctive areas: the first end region 19, the second end region 20, and intermediate segment 21 that is coupling both end regions 19 and 20. To illustrate this imaginary division there are borderlines 22 shown in the FIG.5. The device 1 is shaped to fit conformably to anatomical surfaces and to accommodate flexion of the neck 8. The shape is designed to allow the user 7 to easily move the head in all directions, including up and down movements. To improve the user’s comfort, the width of intermediate segment 21 gradually diminishes between the width of the end region 19, at one end of the intermediate segment 21 , to a fraction of this width in the middle of the length of the intermediate segment 21 and then gradually increases in width of the intermediate segment 21 back to the width of the other end region 20. The curvature may follow the arc of a circle.

[0041 ] FIG. 5 illustrates useful dimensions of this example of the skin-holding device 1. The total length A of the skin-holding device 1 is between 70 mm and 150 mm. All corners of the device 1 are rounded, as shown, with radius R1 that is between 5 mm and 10 mm to prevent accidental peeling. The length C of the end regions

19 and 20 is between 15 mm and 40 mm. The length D of the intermediate segment 21 is between 40 mm and 70 mm. The width B of the skin-holding device 1 at the end regions 19 and 20 is between 15 mm and 40 mm. The width of the intermediate segment 21 changes gradually from equal to the width of the end regions 19 and

20 to between 25% and 67% of the width of the end regions 19 and 20 in its narrowest point E. The width in the narrowest point E is limited to no less than 10 mm due to required mechanical strength of the device 1. The edges of the intermediate segment 21 are shaped to follow a series of arcs.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-section of the device 1 taken along plane X-X of FIG. 5. In the example shown, the material includes three basic layers: backing 2, adhesive 3, and removable liner 4 protecting the adhesive 3 before the device 1 is applied.

[0043]The backing 2 is covered on one side by a layer of hypoallergenic and pressure sensitive adhesive 3 designed for medical/surgical use. The adhesive 3 bonds to the backing 2 permanently to provide a unitary integrated structure that will not delaminate or split when the protective liner 4 is peeled off or the device 1 is removed from the user’s skin 6. The strength of the bond of the adhesive 3 layer to the skin 6 controls the rate of stretching the skin 6 preventing the user 7 from using too much of stretching tension on the skin 6 in the front neck area 9.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the device 1 taken along plane X-X of FIG. 5 after the device 1 has been applied to the user’s skin 6. Once applied, the device 1 may include only two layers: backing 2 and adhesive 3 layer coated thereon. When the device 1 is adhered tightly onto the compressed skin 6, the adhesive 3 locks the compressed skin 6 beneath the device 1 in its compressed configuration.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the device 1 from FIG.5 from the liner’s 4 side. To protect the adhesive 3 of the device 1 from sticking to objects and dirt prior to its use, a readily removable liner 4 formed of thin non-elastic and non-porous material is attached thereto. In this embodiment, a poly-coated paper with silicone on one side is used. Removal of the liner 4 is accomplished in the well-known manner of folding the liner 4 on the score 5 and peeling the liner 4 away immediately prior to use of the device 1. In the shown embodiment the score 5 is positioned within distance F measured from the end of the device 1 . However, the score 5 may be positioned in any place along the device 1.In some examples, the release liner 4 can be conveniently divided into two slightly overlapping sections. This arrangement can simplify the peeling process.

[0046] Figure 9 shows the skin-holding device 1 viewed from the adhesive side. The skin-holding device 1 is cut in one piece from a woven material commonly referred to as ‘kinesiology tape’. That is, the backing 2 can be a strip of woven material. The woven material may be or may include, for example, woven cotton, or any other material suitable for use in kinesiology tape. In such embodiments, the backing 2 can be highly stretchable along its width B, but minimally stretchable or non- stretchable along its length A. In use, this can allow for the skin 6 to be firmly held in the stretched configuration, but can also allow for movement of the neck. This may enhance both functionality and comfort. More specifically, the backing 2 can have a stretch ratio along its length A (also referred to as a length stretch ratio), and a stretch ratio along its width B (also referred to as a width stretch ratio). As used herein, the term ‘stretch ratio’ refers to a dimension of the backing 2 when stretched elastically to its maximum extent, divided by a dimension of the backing 2 when unstretched. The width stretch ratio can be greater than the length stretch ratio. For example, the device 1 may be at least twice as stretchable in a widthwise direction B than in a lengthwise direction A. For further example, the width stretch ratio may be at least 1 .4 or about 1.4, and the length stretch ratio may be at most 1.1 or about 1.1 . For further example, the width stretch ratio may be at least 1 .6 or about 1 .6, and the length stretch ratio may be at most 1.2 or about 1.2. For further example, the width stretch ratio may be between 1 .4 and 2.0, and the length stretch ratio may be between 1 .0 and 1 .3.

[0047] Furthermore, in this example, the adhesive is applied on the backing 2 in a discontinuous pattern. That is, referring still to FIG. 9, backing 2 includes a set of adhesive-covered portions 23 (i.e. portions that are covered by the adhesive), and a set of adhesive-free portions 24(i.e. portions that are free of adhesive, so that the backing is exposed). The adhesive-covered portions 23 and adhesive-free portions 24 are provided in an alternating pattern, so that the adhesive-covered portions 23 are spaced apart from each other, and the adhesive-free portions 24 are spaced apart from each other. In the example shown, the adhesive 3 is provided on the adhesive-covered portions 23 in adhesive bands 23 that extend non-linearly, and in the example shown are generally wave-shaped. However, linear or other patterns of adhesive bands 23 is considered. This discontinuous pattern of the adhesive allows for the device 1 to remove moisture created by perspiration and for the device 1 to accommodate movement, even when adhered to skin 6. [0048] Another example of a skin holding device is shown in FIG. 10, in which features that are like to those of FIGS. 1 to 9 are identified with like reference numerals, prefixed with the digits Ί0’. The skin holding device 101 is similar to the skin holding device 1 of FIG.9; however, the skin-holding device 101 includes wicks 1025 (only one of which is labelled) that extend across the backing 102 and that are adhered to the adhesive-covered portions 1023. The wicks 1025 can facilitate removal of the skin-holding device 101 . That is, a removal solution (i.e. any solution that can dissolve or release the adhesive from the skin) can be applied to the skin holding device 101 , and the wicks 1025 can help to distribute the removal solution throughout the device 101 , to facilitate removal of the device 101.

[0049]Another example of a skin holding device is shown in FIG. 11 , in which features that are like to those of FIGS. 1 to 9 are identified with like reference numerals, prefixed with the digits Ί 1’. The skin holding device 111 is similar to the skin holding device 1 of FIG. 9; however, the intermediate segment 1121 is non adhesive, to enhance comfort and allow for unobstructed head movement. This can be achieved by applying a covering (e.g. a cotton pad or another breathable non-stick material) over the adhesive of the intermediate segment 1121 , or by not including any adhesive on the intermediate segment 1121.

[0050] Furthermore, the skin-holding device 111 in this example includes wicks 1125 (only one of which is labelled) on each of the first and second end regions 1119, 1120. Similarly to the wicks 1025 of Figure 10, the wicks 1125 can facilitate removal of the skin-holding device 111.

[0051] Various other materials can be used as the backing material 2 of the device. Both woven materials and non-woven materials can be used. Specific examples include synthetic resin fabrics, synthetic resin films, knit fabrics, or meshes. Either porous or non-porous materials can be used. To maximize comfort, minimize irritation, prevent skin 6 maceration and prevent moisture build-up under the device 1 (or devices 101 and 111), which can cause the device 1 to peel off from the user’s skin 6, the device 1 can allow the skin to breathe and release evaporated water from the skin 6 covered by the device 1. The ability of the material to breathe can be achieved by using porous woven materials or by perforating non-porous materials. A backing 2 with a void area between 1 % and 20% can be used. If the percentage of the void area is too high, the mechanical strength of the device 1 can diminish to an unacceptable level. If the adhesive layer 3 is not permeable to water vapors, the adhesive layer 3 can be perforated together with the backing 2 to provide an escape for the moisture.

[0052]0ptionally, the adhesive 3 can include antimicrobial agents or substances diminishing skin irritation.

[0053] In some examples, the release liner 4 can be conveniently divided into two slightly overlapping sections. This arrangement can simplify the peeling process.

[0054]While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses or compositions, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses or compositions may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

[0055]To the extent any amendments, characterizations, or other assertions previously made (in this or in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child) with respect to any art, prior or otherwise, could be construed as a disclaimer of any subject matter supported by the present disclosure of this application, Applicant hereby rescinds and retracts such disclaimer. Applicant also respectfully submits that any prior art previously considered in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child, may need to be re-visited.