Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for treatment of skin conditions which includes a brushhead member which comprises a first portion which includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts, the first portion oscillating in operation through a selected angle at a selected frequency and a second portion which also includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts concentric with the first portion, the second portion remaining stationary in operation. At least one monochromatic light source is included, providing light directed from the brushhead in a direction substantially the same as the bristle tufts, such that the light impinges on the area of skin of the user acted on by the oscillating brushhead.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for treatment of skin conditions which includes a brushhead member which comprises a first portion which includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts, the first portion oscillating in operation through a selected angle at a selected frequency and a second portion which also includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts concentric with the first portion, the second portion remaining stationary in operation. At least one monochromatic light source is included, providing light directed from the brushhead in a direction substantially the same as the bristle tufts, such that the light impinges on the area of skin of the user acted on by the oscillating brushhead.

Abstract: The brushhead is used in a power skin brush appliance which includes a drive system having a single drive member. The brushhead includes a base assembly mountable to the drive system with an optional outer annular fixed portion and an inner portion which in operation oscillates back and forth at a selected sonic frequency through a selected angle in response to action of the drive system. Mounted on the outer portion is a first group of filament tufts. Mounted on the oscillating portion are three concentric groups of filament tufts. Each oscillating group of filament tufts includes two annular rings of filament tufts.

Abstract: The motor includes a rigid anchor member which is fixedly mounted to the applicator housing, an electromagnetic stator member and an armature. The armature includes a permanent magnet assembly and two leaf springs which connect the anchor member and the armature, the leaf springs being positioned at right angles to each other. The ratio of the lengths of the spring members is within the range of 0.75:1 to 0.95:1. A driving assembly produces an alternating current drive signal to the stator member which moves the armature and a skin contact member attached thereto in a reciprocating motion which includes a first component perpendicular to the skin, a second component parallel to the skin and a third arcuate component.

Abstract: The article and corresponding method include a casting fixture for a part of a skin formulation applicator which is otherwise difficult to cast. The casting fixture includes a central cup section and two opposing tear-away sections. A rigid base portion of an applicator tip assembly is mounted into an upper rim of the cup section and liquid silicone material is poured into the volume defined in the cup section portion beneath the base portion. The silicone cures and bonds to extending elements from the base portion, providing a firm connection between the cast tip portion and the base portion. When the combined part is ready for use, the tear-away sections are removed by the user, which results in an easy ejection of the part, which can then be installed by the user in the formulation applicator.

Abstract: The brushhead is used in a power skin brush appliance which includes a drive system having a single drive member. The brushhead includes a base assembly mountable to the drive system with an optional outer annular fixed portion and an inner portion which in operation oscillates back and forth at a selected sonic frequency through a selected angle in response to action of the drive system. Mounted on the outer portion is a first group of filament tufts. Mounted on the oscillating portion are three concentric groups of filament tufts. Each oscillating group of filament tufts includes two annular rings of filament tufts.

Abstract: The skin formulation dispenser includes a housing and a reservoir positioned within the housing containing a skin formulation. The dispenser includes an outlet nozzle from which the skin formulation exits and a pump assembly connecting the reservoir to the nozzle. An actuator is provided by which a user can mechanically apply pressure to the pump assembly to move the formulation from the reservoir to the nozzle. The nozzle extends from an end portion of the dispenser into a mating opening in an infuser portion of the applicator in such a manner to insure that the dispenser is authorized for use in the applicator, wherein the nozzle is configured so as to permit movement of the formulation by reasonable force from the reservoir through the nozzle while also preventing overly rapid evaporation of the formulation exiting from the nozzle.

Abstract: The tip assembly includes a base portion which is sufficiently rigid to be conveniently insertable onto and removable from a drive end of a motor for the applicator and a tip portion which is securely attached to the base portion either by casting or molding, and is sufficiently soft to provide comfortable contact with the skin, the tip portion having a concave front surface for receiving skin formulations which are applied to the skin, such as the facial skin, of a user during operation of the applicator.

Abstract: The motor includes a rigid anchor member which is fixedly mounted to the applicator housing, an electromagnetic stator member and an armature. The armature includes a permanent magnet assembly and two leaf springs which connect the anchor member and the armature, the leaf springs being positioned at right angles to each other. The ratio of the lengths of the spring members is within the range of 0.75:1 to 0.95:1. A driving assembly produces an alternating current drive signal to the stator member which moves the armature and a skin contact member attached thereto in a reciprocating motion which includes a first component perpendicular to the skin, a second component parallel to the skin and a third arcuate component.

Abstract: The article and corresponding method include a casting fixture for a part of a skin formulation applicator which is otherwise difficult to cast. The casting fixture includes a central cup section and two opposing tear-away sections. A rigid base portion of an applicator tip assembly is mounted into an upper rim of the cup section and liquid silicone material is poured into the volume defined in the cup section portion beneath the base portion. The silicone cures and bonds to extending elements from the base portion, providing a firm connection between the cast tip portion and the base portion. When the combined part is ready for use, the tear-away sections are removed by the user, which results in an easy ejection of the part, which can then be installed by the user in the formulation applicator.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of preparing a beard or other skin area to be shaved for shaving by first applying the tips of a bristle skin brush to the skin area of the beard to clean the skin area, the brush having an outer brushhead portion and an inner brushhead portion, wherein the first portion remains stationary in operation, wherein the second brushhead portion oscillates through a selected range 18-26° at a frequency within the range of 120-220 Hz. The tips of the bristles are applied to the skin area to be shaved following or simultaneous with the wetting of the skin area with water, and then following or simultaneous with, lathering the skin area with shaving cream or gel.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor for storing seatbelt webbing that can be utilized to restrain an occupant of a motor vehicle. The retractor includes a retractor frame and a plurality of spools rotatably coupled to the retractor frame and spaced a distance apart from each other. Seatbelt webbing can be withdrawn from the seatbelt retractor to extend about an occupant of a seat of the motor vehicle and releasably coupled to a buckle provided to the motor vehicle in a withdrawn state, and collected by the seatbelt retractor in a retracted state. A length of the seatbelt webbing adjacent to a terminal end thereof is collected at least partially around the plurality of spools in the retracted state.

Abstract: The motor includes an E-core stator assembly with a source of alternating current and an armature portion mounted to be responsive to the stator to oscillate back and forth through an arc portion of the personal care appliance and flexure elements are connected between the armature and the mounting member, the flexure elements crossing each other, wherein the crossing point defines a pivot point about which the armature rotates. A workpiece assembly, which includes a mounting arm, is configured so that a skin brush mounted on a free end of the mounting arm has an axis of rotation about the pivot point.

Abstract: The applicator includes a housing and a motor contained therewithin which includes an output member, such as a shaft, which in operation moves in a reciprocating manner. A contact member is mounted for operation and moves in response to the action of the output shaft, such that the contact element in operation repeatedly contacts a selected skin area, moving toward and away from the skin area, substantially perpendicularly thereto. The contact member moves at a frequency within the range of 50 Hz to 200 Hz and with an amplitude of 0.010 to 0.075 inches. The repeated tapping action of the contact member against the skin increases the absorption of a skin formulation into the skin area being contacted.