HAND HELD SKIN TREATMENT SPRAY SYSTEM

Abstract

A spray nozzle system for skin treatments includes separate air outlets moving over the skin surface to deliver one or more streams of supplemental air for the purpose of warming or drying the skin surface to improve efficacy and comfort of the spraying experience. The drying air from the auxiliary ports may be applied while spray is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloud temperature, or may be applied before or after the spray application, with the spray turned off, to warm or dry the skin. A heating source is provided to warm the air directed through one or more supplemental air ports. In the case of air-atomizing nozzles, the supplemental air is delivered through low pressure ports separately from the air emitted through the nozzle's atomizing and pattern shaping orifices to minimize the expansion cooling effect inherent with the spray nozzle ports. In another implementation, the airflow is redirected from the nozzle jets to one or more of the supplemental ports using a control valve which proportions the amount of airflow directed to the main atomizer air jets, the pattern shaping air jets and the supplemental air for drying the skin.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/266,810, filed Dec. 4, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Spray devices for the application of liquids onto human skin and hair are well known. Sprays are used for many types of medicines, skin treatments, hair treatments, deodorants, lotions, and cosmetic agents. Specialized hand-held and automated spray systems have recently been introduced in tanning salons and spa treatment centers to apply sunless tanning compounds and skin care formulas, such as moisturizers, anti-aging treatments, and exfoliants. The spray solution used for sunless tanning is generally a water-based mixture of DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and/or erythrulose and various other skin care ingredients such as aloe vera. Often a cosmetic bronzer is added along with pleasant scents and ingredients to enhance tanning performance, such as formulations to balance skin ph. For best results, the spraying of the solution utilizes a finely atomized spray (mist), as opposed to the use of a spray stream or large spray droplets, because the mist of solution provides for even coverage and reduces the risk of streaking or running of the spray deposit.

The skin treatment spray process has inherently been a cold, uncomfortable experience for the recipient as nozzle expansion effects significantly cool the air and liquid in the spray cloud during application to the skin. Furthermore, cold skin is known to inhibit optimum absorption of the skin care ingredients. Temperatures of the spray cloud can be over 30 degrees (F.) lower than human body temperature due to nozzle cooling and significantly cooler than ambient temperature (of the air or the liquid). Heating of the spray liquid or the atomization air has a negligible effect on increasing spray cloud temperature due to the rapid cooling produced as the spray jet expands when exiting the nozzle. This phenomenon is magnified when using air-atomizing nozzles; the type most desirable for producing a finely atomized spray mist.

In salons, customers disrobe for the spray treatment which lasts from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Some treatments involve sequential spray regimens of alternate ingredients so the experience can be significantly longer. Thus, the length of time the customer is exposed to cold can be significant and may discourage the customer from obtaining the treatment in the first place or returning for an additional treatment at a later date.

After the spray treatment customers often use a towel to dry their skin. The action of toweling-off removes a significant quantity of the sprayed ingredients from the skin. The remaining ingredients may be redistributed, which can produce a splotchy appearance in the case of sunless tanning or other cosmetic treatments. If the customer opts not to use a towel, and instead simply dry off in the ambient air or from the cool air of air-atomizing nozzles, the surface of the skin can become sticky.

Many tanning salons providing the new sunless spray tanning service also have conventional UV lamp tanning beds. Customers have observed that application of sunless tanning solutions quickly after they use a UV tanning bed can result in a deeper and darker DHA tan. It is important to move from the UV tanning bed to receive a spray of sunless tanning solution as quickly as possible. It is also essential to remove all perspiration resulting from the UV treatment or the tan result can be uneven. The benefits of UV tanning coupled with a sunless tanning spray may be due to opening the pores of the skin and from more thoroughly and more deeply drying out of the top skin layer by the hot UV lamps. However, due to skin health concerns, many customers do not wish to use the UV beds and therefore cannot take advantage of this practice to enhance their sunless tan.

DHA tans the skin by reacting with proteins in the stratum corneum, the top protective skin layer composed of dead skin cells. It is known that only the uppermost dry layers of the stratum corneum will tan effectively with DHA or erythrulose. Very dry skin will pigment the darkest and layers containing surface moisture will not tan nearly as well. Skin care specialists suggest using a warm towel on the skin before application of spray treatments since warm skin may better absorb some ingredients. However, a skin surface that is too hot will perspire, thus reducing the effectiveness of the sprayed ingredients.

A need exists in the art to address the foregoing issues in connection with providing a better sunless tanning experience and result for the consumer.

Reference is further made to Venuto, U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,208 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) which teaches a tanning spray booth implementation with a nozzle operable to both spray tanning solution and deliver drying air when not spraying.

Reference is also made to Safara, U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,937 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) which teaches a bidet sprayer implementation operable to both spray cleaning water streams and deliver drying air when not spraying.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein propose the controlled application of warm dry air over the skin before, during and after applications of atomized (misted) sunless tanning sprays using a hand held spray type system. This controlled application enhances efficacy of the tanning compounds and results in a deeper tan color and a longer lasting tan. In addition, the mixing of heated dry air into the atomized spray cloud reduces the discomfort caused by the inherently cold spray stream. Furthermore, warm dry air, applied during and after short spray sequences enhances the spray uniformity result and produces a softer characteristic feel of the spray ingredients on the skin, while reducing complaints of “stickiness” or “tackiness” by the consumer. Deposition efficiency and uniformity of the tan result is improved since the towel dry step after the spray session is no longer necessary.

A spray nozzle system in a hand held spray format is presented for applying topical skin treatments, such as sunless tanning formulations, medicines, and lotions. Specifically, liquids or suspensions are applied to human skin using a hand held spray system which allows for controlled operation of a heated air system and an atomizing spray liquid dispensing system.

A spray nozzle system includes auxiliary air outlets positioned near the liquid spray outlet of the spray nozzle to deliver one or more streams of warming air for the purpose of drying the skin surface and mixing with the spray cloud so as to improve the comfort of the spraying experience. The drying air from the auxiliary ports may be applied while the spray cloud is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloud temperature (and thus counteract the temperature drop caused by nozzle expansion effects), or may be applied before or after the spray application, with the spray turned off, to warm or dry the skin.

A heating source is provided to warm the air that is directed through one or more air outlets. In a preferred embodiment, a heating element is incorporated into the hand held sprayer. The heating element may be positioned at the air outlet or in the air conduit within the hand held spray device or in the air hose to the air outlets or at the air pump. In the case of air atomizing nozzles, the warming air is supplemental to the atomizing air at the nozzle and is delivered through low pressure outlets separate from the air emitted through the nozzle's atomizing and/or pattern shaping orifices to minimize the expansion cooling effect inherent with the spray nozzle ports.

In another embodiment, the heated airflow is redirected from the nozzle jets to one or more of the supplemental air outlets. In this embodiment, a control valve may be used to proportion the amount of airflow directed to the main atomizer air jets, the pattern shaping air jets and the supplemental air outlets for drying the skin.

The method of applying warm dry air between layered applications of atomized spray deposition has been found to make the experience of skin spray treatments much more comfortable as well as improve coating uniformity. In addition, this method provides an improved tack-free feel of the spray deposit on the skin both during and after the spray session. In the case of sunless tanning with active ingredients such as Erythrulose or DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the system provides for an improved tanning color and increased longevity of the tan.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a hand held spray member; a spray nozzle supported by the hand held spray member, the spray nozzle including a spray jet outlet adapted to spray a skin treatment liquid from the spray nozzle and produce a finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid; an air outlet separate from the spray jet outlet, the air outlet adapted to deliver heated air in an air stream directed to mix with the finely atomized spray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet; and a controller adapted to control actuation of the spray nozzle.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for hand held spraying comprises: a housing adapted to be held by a human hand; a spray nozzle mounted to the housing, the spray nozzle including a spray jet outlet adapted to spray a skin treatment liquid from the spray nozzle and produce a finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid for deposition on a target surface; at least one auxiliary air outlet mounted to the housing separate from the spray jet outlet, said auxiliary air outlet adapted to deliver a stream of heated air; and a controller operable to selectively actuate the spray nozzle and support operation of the apparatus for hand held spraying in multiple modes. A first operating mode is operable to direct the stream of heated air to mix with the produced finely atomized spray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet so as to warm a temperature of the finely atomized spray cloud which has been cooled by nozzle expansion effect at the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle. A second operating mode is operable to direct the stream of heated air in the absence of production of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid from the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle so as to dry the target surface upon which the skin treatment liquid was deposited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a spraying system adapted for use in a hand held spraying application;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a hand held sprayer of the type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the hand held sprayer shown in FIG. 2 focusing on the nozzle;

FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate modes of operation for the nozzle portion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an alternative implementation of a spraying system adapted for use in a hand held spraying application; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate views of an electrostatic air-atomizing nozzle for use in a hand held sprayer like that shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates a spraying system 10 adapted for use, for example, in a hand held spraying application. The system 10 is configured to separately and/or simultaneously apply an atomized mist of skin treatment liquid and a stream of drying/warming air towards a target surface 12 (for example, a customer's skin). The system 10 comprises a hand held spray member (in this case schematically represented by a dotted enclosing line 14, wherein the enclosing line 14 for the spray member generally indicates the use of any suitable enclosure or housing configuration including, for example, a simple structural mount to which spray member components are mounted or a casing which completely encapsulates the spray member components). The line 14 thus generally represents the support, enclosure or housing configuration of the hand held spray member.

Supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the spray member is a nozzle 30 that includes a spray jet outlet 32. The spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30 sources a finely atomized spray cloud (for example, a mist cloud) 33 of the skin treatment liquid aimed generally in a spray direction 36. Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 is a heated air outlet 34. The heated air outlet 34 sources a relatively lower pressure heated air stream 37 aimed generally in an air direction 38. The spray direction 36 and air direction 38 are both aimed towards the target surface 12. In a preferred embodiment, the spray direction 36 intersects 70 the air direction 38 such that the air stream 37 mixes with the atomized spray cloud 33 prior to atomized spray cloud 33 contact with the target surface 12. Even more particularly, the air direction 38 is aimed such that the air stream 37 mixes with a leading edge 39 of the atomized spray cloud 33 (in terms of a primary direction of hand held spray member movement when applying the skin treatment liquid to the target surface 12).

The nozzle 30 with spray jet outlet 32 may comprise any suitable finely atomizing spray nozzle assembly known to those skilled in the art. For example, the nozzle 30 may comprise any known air-assisted type atomizing nozzle (such as an air atomizing nozzle, a high volume, low pressure (HVLP) nozzle, and the like). In the case of an air-atomizing nozzle, either a single air source or separate air sources may be used for providing the relatively low pressure air for the air stream delivered at the air outlet 34 and the relatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle 30 to atomize the spray liquid and form the spray cloud 33 (as well as the relatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle 30 shape the pattern of the emitted spray cloud). Alternatively, the nozzle 30 may comprise a suitable hydraulic nozzle, or other type of nozzle such as a sonic nozzle, in which case only a single air source is needed for providing the relatively lower pressure air for the air stream delivered at the heated air outlet 34 (and perhaps also provide the relatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle 30 shape the pattern of the emitted spray cloud). The nozzle 30 may also support electrostatic spraying of the skin treatment liquid and the system 10 may support ionized application of the air stream, as discussed in more detail herein.

Also supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member is a liquid control valve 52 coupled between a liquid inlet 53 and the nozzle 30 by ducting 50. The liquid control valve 52 at the very least controls the state (on/off) of passage of skin treatment liquid received at the liquid inlet 53 to the spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30. In addition, the liquid control valve 52 may further control a rate of flow of skin treatment liquid received at the liquid inlet 53 to the spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30. In either case, the passed skin treatment liquid is atomized at the spray jet outlet 32 to form the spray cloud 33. With respect to controlling the state and rate of flow of skin treatment liquid, the valve 52 may comprise any suitably controlled fluid flow valve (for example, separate from the nozzle 30), and in an alternate implementation may comprise a needle valve adjustment mechanism within the nozzle 30 that acts on the nozzle jet outlet 32. Actuation of the liquid control valve 52 in the hand held spray member implementation is controlled in response to a controller 24 (for example, of the trigger-control type).

The liquid inlet 53 is coupled to a liquid source 22. The liquid source 22 is preferably a container that is filled with the skin treatment liquid. That container is preferably coupled to and carried by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member. One alternative implementation utilizes an external tank configuration to store the skin treatment liquid with that tank coupled to the liquid inlet 53 using a hose. Another implementation uses a container with a relatively small amount of skin treatment liquid (for example, one or a few doses selected for each spray session or application) that is removably received by a receptacle 65 formed in the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member and coupled to the liquid inlet 53.

The reference to a liquid source 22 includes the use of a single liquid tank supplying a single type (or container) of liquid for spray application as well as the use of multiple liquid tanks (or containers) each containing a distinct liquid for customer selection and skin application. When multiple tanks are provided, the customer can design a multi-product spray session. The operation of the system 10 can be adapted to optimize the spray experience based on the liquid selections made by the customer. Selection may be made by the user between the different spray liquid products.

Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member is an air heating system 54 coupled to supply heated air to the air outlet 34 that sources the air stream 37. The air heating system 54 receives air from an air inlet 55 and heats the air to a higher temperature than the temperature of the air as received. Any suitable heating element could be used within the air heating system 54, for example, an element of resistive wire type, that heating element receiving power from a power supply that is either external or internal of hand held spray member. The heating element for the air heating system 54 can be incorporated directly into the air ducting 51 or positioned at the exit of the air outlet 34. In an exemplary implementation, the heating element for the air heating system 154 is positioned in a handle of the hand held spray member (see, FIG. 2).

In a preferred implementation, the air inlet 55 receives ambient temperature air from an air source (not shown) external to the enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member. The air heating system 54 then heats the received ambient temperature air to a heated air temperature, and perhaps controls air flow state and/or rate of delivery, so that the air stream 37 sourced by the air outlet 34 is warmer than the ambient air temperature. This heated air in the output air stream 37 is at a relatively low pressure and mixes with the atomized spray cloud 33 prior to spray cloud 33 contact with the target surface 12.

The air inlet 55 preferably receives ambient temperature air from an air source (not shown) external to the enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member. The air heating system 54 then heats the received ambient temperature air so that the air stream 37 sourced by the air outlet 34 is warmer than the ambient air temperature (i.e., warmer than the air temperature where the target 12 is located). The heated air output from the air outlet 34 in the heated air stream 37 mixes with the atomized spray cloud 33 prior to spray cloud 33 contact with the target surface 12.

In an alternative implementation, the air heating system 54 (and its air source) is positioned external to the enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member. In this case no internal heating system is needed within the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member, and the air inlet 55 could be directly coupled to the ducting 51 for the air outlet 34.

Actuation of the air heating system 54 in the hand held spray member implementation may be controlled in response to the controller 24, or may be automatically actuated whenever the system 10 is in operation. For example, with respect to an electrically powered air heating system 54, the controller 24 may respond to actuation of the trigger 24 by supplying power to the air heating system 54. The heating element in such an implementation would have an operating characteristic supporting a relatively fast heat-up time so that liquid spraying with heated air delivery is not delayed.

The heating system 54 may further function to control delivery of that air at a heated temperature to the air outlet 34. The control exercised with respect to the air processed by the air heating system 54 may comprise one or both of controlling the heated air temperature and/or controlling air flow state (on/off) and/or rate of delivery, and this control may be provided through the same controller 24 that controls liquid valve 52 or through a separate controller, as desired.

This heated air in some implementations does not assist with the higher pressure atomization of the liquid or assist with any pattern shaping of the spray cloud. The included heating element is thus incorporated directly into the air ducting 51 for the air outlet 34 or is positioned at the exit of the air outlet 34.

The source of air supplied to inlet 55 is preferably an ambient air supply using, for example, a fan, blower or compressor. The compressor of the air supply may be any suitable air moving device, such as a fan, blower, turbine, or piston, rotary or diaphragm compressor, or other air pump. The operation of the air supply may itself provide some heating of the air, thus obviating the need for an additional heating element to heat the air within the hand held spray member. For example, when a high volume, low pressure (HVLP) nozzle (see, FIG. 2) is used for nozzle 30, the nozzle's air turbine itself, when in operation, will act as a heated air source. Additionally, when an air atomizer is used for the nozzle 30 it is preferred to use a common compressor (air supply) for sourcing air for both air atomization at the spray jet outlet 32 (and perhaps pattern shaping of the spray cloud) and the supply of air to be heated for delivery at the air output 34, rather than have a separate source of air for each.

The controller 24 for the hand held spray member is used at the very least to control delivery production of the spray cloud 33, and may further be used to control delivery of the air stream 37. This control can be exercised through actuation of a triggering mechanism at the controller 24. In particular, through the use of the trigger controller, the user may control the delivery of liquid spray from the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 and/or the delivery of heated air from the air outlet 34 before, during or after the liquid spray is applied. In essence, the controller functions to control the application of the liquid spray and heated air (for example, simultaneously or sequentially/alternatively).

The controller 24 may comprise any suitable electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical control system that is responsive to user actuation to control operation of the hand held spray member in support of the various operating modes described herein. For example, the controller 24 may control the control valve 52 in connection with controlling the supply of liquid. As discussed in further detail below, the controller 24 may further control the delivery of heated air in the air stream 37, and additionally control a proportional division of heated air for output in the air stream and use as atomization and pattern shaping air at the nozzle 30. In addition, the heated air may be delivered through any included the atomizing port(s) and pattern shaping port(s). The controller 24 may further control operation of the heating system 54 so as to control the temperature of the heated air in the air stream 37.

The system implements a number of safety features. First, the air heating system 117 includes a thermal switch and a thermal fuse to detect malfunction, improper operation or dangerous conditions in the air heating system 117 itself. These features may operate to self-control the air heating system 117 and may further be used as sensors to provide output information used by the controller 24 with respect to safely controlling system operation. The controller 24 may sense operating conditions of the system, for example, temperature, air flow, liquid flow, electrical problems (shorts, opens, over-current, over-voltage, power, ground faults, error messages, and the like), and respond to control operation of the system. For example, the controller may sense an over temperature condition within the air heating system 117 and cut off power supplied to the air heating system 117. As another example, the controller may sense reduced or absent air flow at the air inlet and cut power from the air heating system 117 to prevent overheating. The controller may further sense reduced or absent liquid flow and provide a warning signal or otherwise change operating mode of the system. The controller could still further monitor the operation of any equipment, such as an air supply or power supply, coupled to the hand held sprayer and respond to errors or problems in that equipment with a change of operation for the sprayer. The equipment coupled to the sprayer may also detect disconnection of the sprayer and terminate supply of air and power. Lastly, the controller supports implementation of a cool-down mode at the end of a spraying session to pass air through the heating system.

In a preferred embodiment the production of the spray cloud 33 output from spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30 is controlled separately from the delivery of heated air in the air stream 37 output from air outlet 34 to allow a sequence of operations to be performed in connection with the spraying skin treatment, such as pre-warming of the skin (without spraying), followed by separate spraying (with warming air) and drying (without spraying) cycles. The air stream 37 output from the air outlet 34 is provided in a controlled manner for a number of purposes: to pre-warm the skin, to warm the edge of the spray cloud 33 as the atomized spray jet is naturally bent due to movement of the hand held spray member, and to provide a drying air stream after a spray operation. Alternatively, the production of the spray cloud 33 output from spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30 may be controlled in a dependent and proportional manner with respect to the delivery of heated air in the air stream 37 output from air outlet 34.

The ability of the system to move among and between various operating modes is designed to enhance the consumer's spray tanning experience and improve the tanning result. Warm air from the air drying outlet serves to prepare the skin for treatment, warm the skin for customer comfort, and dry the skin evenly after application. Alternating between spray application and warm air application improves the tanning result. Furthermore, mixing warm air application with the spray cloud 33 reduces the discomfort experienced by the consumer due temperature drop of the spray liquid.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates an exemplary implementation of a hand held sprayer of the type shown in FIG. 1. The support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member implementation includes a suitably sized and shaped housing 92 for containing the nozzle 30, air outlet 34, ducting 50 and 51 for air and liquid flow, valve 52 for controlling liquid flow, air heating system 54 and the trigger-type controller 24 functionality for controlling operation of the hand held spray member. In an exemplary configuration, the housing 92 includes a barrel shaped portion 94 (for example, containing the nozzle 30, air outlet 34, and ducting 50 and 51 for air and liquid flow) and a handle shaped portion 96 (for example, containing ducting 50 and 51 for air and liquid flow, air heating system 54 and the trigger-type controller 24 functionality for controlling operation of the hand held spray member).

The front of the enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member implementation shows use of a spray nozzle 30 of the air atomizing type with the spray jet outlet 32 and first air ports 90 provided immediately adjacent the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 and a second air port 91 provided annularly surrounding the spray jet outlet 32. The first air ports 90 supply relatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle 30 for pattern shaping of the spray cloud, for example, to shape the spray cloud into a flat fan-like spray shape. The second air port 91 supplies relatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle for atomization of the spray liquid to create the spray cloud. The front of the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member implementation further shows the air outlet 34 for supplying relatively lower pressure air for mixing with the spray cloud separate and apart from the nozzle 30 and its air ports 90 and 91. It will be understood that the relatively lower pressure air supplied from the air outlet 34 is output in a separate and distinct air stream 37 from the relatively higher pressure air supplied to the air ports 90 and 91 which is output for atomization and pattern shaping. Thus, in this particular implementation, the air supplied from the air outlet 34 may be referred to as “supplemental” air, meaning that this air supplied supplemental to the atomization and pattern shaping air supplied from the air ports 90 and 91. Furthermore, it should be understood that the pattern shaping air port 90 could provide the functionality of the air outlet 34 to supply warming air to the spray cloud (and thus obviate the need for the air outlet 34) provided that the air output from the pattern shaping air port 90 could be satisfactorily supplied for pattern shaping at a relatively lower pressure which would not contribute to the cooling effect of nozzle expansion.

The physical embodiment of the housing 92 illustrated in FIG. 1 for the enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member implementation is exemplary in nature, it being understood that any suitable industrial design for the housing could be used. What is critical is that the design is capable of being hand held and further support a suitably positioned trigger-type controller 24 functionality on the outside surface of the housing. The illustration in FIG. 2 of a traditional gun-shaped housing design with a barrel and handle for the hand held spray member is not to be considered as critical or limiting.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the use of only a single air outlet 34, it will be understood that two (or more) air outlets could instead be provided (for example, one above and one below nozzle spray jet outlet 32). What is desired in a moving nozzle 30 implementation, like that provided with a hand held spray member implementation, is that an air outlet 34 providing heated air in an air stream 37 be located on at least the leading edge of the predominant direction of nozzle motion during spraying (for example, with an upward motion in the case of the illustrated hand held spray member and nozzle). The air outlet 34 is configured to deliver the heated air stream 37 into the spray cloud 33, and it is an advantage of the disclosed system that this heated air is delivered towards the customer and is felt on the customer's skin when or before the spray cloud 33 impacts the customer's skin. In the case of an embodiment with two air outlets 34, these outlets are preferably positioned so as to direct an air stream 37 on both the leading edge 39 and trailing edge (reference 41, FIG. 1) of the spray cloud 33 with respect to the predominant direction (for example, vertical) of hand held spray member movement so as to allow for an optimal mixing of warm air with the spray cloud (on the leading edge) and provide a drying effect after the spray passes over the skin (on the trailing edge).

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the hand held spray member shown in FIG. 2. The nozzle 30 used in this implementation is of an HVLP type, but could comprise any air-assisted atomizing nozzle needing a relatively higher pressure air flow for creating the spray cloud. The nozzle 30 includes a spool valve 100 which operates (either manually, or perhaps responsive to controller 24) to control the flow of received heated air to (and among and between) the relatively higher pressure atomizing and pattern shaping air ports 90 and 91 and to the relatively lower pressure “supplemental” air outlet 34 on the front of the nozzle. Liquid for spraying is passed from liquid valve 52 by the internal ducting 50 to the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 where it is atomized in response to the relatively higher pressure air supplied at the air port 91 to form the atomized spray cloud and pattern shaped in response to the relatively higher pressure air supplied at the air ports 90 shape the atomized spray cloud (for example, into a fan-like pattern). Heated air is passed by internal ducting 51 and distributed among and between the higher pressure air ports 90 and 91 and the lower pressure air outlet 34. The amount of heated air delivered to the air ports 90 and 91 and the air outlet 34 is proportionally adjusted by actuation of the spool valve 100. The proportional adjustment is preferably made under the control of the user (in a manual operation, or responsive to the controller 24). For example, the proportional adjustment may be effected by the user through the trigger-type controller (reference 24, FIG. 1). Alternatively, the proportional adjustment is effected by the user through a manual actuation of the spool valve 100 using a control knob (reference 98, FIG. 2) positioned on the external surface of the hand held spray member enclosure 14.

In an alternative configuration, the air ports 90 may be configured to not only shape the atomized spray cloud but also to provide heated air for purposes of warming the spray cloud. In this implementation, the “supplemental” air outlet 34 could be eliminated. To implement this configuration, however, the internal ducting of the nozzle 30 is configured so that the pattern shaping air ports receive the heated air. Additionally, the pattern shaping air ports 90 must be designed to be relatively lower pressure outlets (in comparison to the air atomizing outlets) that do not induce a nozzle cooling effect on the spray cloud. An example of such a configuration is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, described below where one or more of the outlets 34 may additionally be configured to assist in pattern shaping as well as warming the spray cloud. In instances where higher pressure ports are needed to produce the desired pattern shaping and spreading of the spray cloud, it will be necessary to further include the “supplemental” air outlet 34 as a low pressure port supplying heated air for the purpose of warming the spray cloud.

While FIG. 3 shows that the atomizing air port 91 also receives heated air, it will be understood that the ducting of the nozzle 30 may be configured to instead supply ambient air to the atomizing air port 91 while the air heating system (reference 54, FIG. 1) is provided within the ducting leading to the pattern shaping air ports 90.

Although FIG. 3 illustrates that the air channel 96 coupled to the pattern shaping outlets 90 and the air channel 97 coupled to the air atomization outlet 91 are connected to receive a common supply of air at area 99, it will be understood that the air channel coupled to the pattern shaping outlets 90 could instead be connected receive the same supply of air as the air outlet 34 at area 95. This could be accomplished by forming a ducting connection as shown by the dotted line 98 between area 95 and the air channel 96 (and severing the connection between area 99 and the air channel 96).

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show that by rotating the spool valve 100 heated air can be proportionally directed between the air outlet 34 and the spray atomization and/or pattern shaping outlets 90 and 91. In this way the nozzle 30 can be controlled to support multiple modes of operation.

In a first mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, the spool valve 100 is controlled to be in a position for directing heated air received from ducting 51 to the lower pressure “supplemental” air outlet 34 (but not the higher pressure atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91) via the area 95 and along path 102. In the first mode, the controller may additionally turn off the valve (reference 52, FIG. 1) supplying spray liquid to the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 over ducting 50. It will be recognized that in this first mode, with the alternative configuration including the dotted line 98 connection from area 95 to air channel 96 (as shown in FIG. 3), heated air received from ducting 51 would be directed by the valve 100 to both the “supplemental” air outlet 34 and to the pattern shaping ports 90 (but not the atomizing port 91).

In a second mode, as shown in FIG. 4B, the spool valve 100 is controlled to be in a position for directing air to the higher pressure atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91 (but not the lower pressure “supplemental” air outlet 34) via area 99 and along paths 104 and 106. In the second mode, the controller may additionally turn on the valve (reference 52, FIG. 1) supplying spray liquid to the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 over ducting 50. It will be recognized that in this second mode, with the alternative configuration including the dotted line 98 connection from area 95 to air channel 96 (as shown in FIG. 3), heated air received from ducting 51 would be directed by the valve 100 to the air atomizing port 91 (but not the “supplemental” air outlet 34 and pattern shaping ports 90).

In a third mode, as shown in FIG. 4C, the spool valve 100 is controlled to be in a position for directing air (in a selected proportion) to both the higher pressure atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91 and the lower pressure “supplemental” air outlet 34 along paths 102, 104 and 106 in a proportional manner. The atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91 receive air from area 99 while the “supplemental” air outlet 34 receives air from area 95, the amount of air in each area being proportionally controlled by the position of the valve 100. In this third mode, because the supplied air is being proportionally shared between the atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91 and the “supplemental” air outlet 34, it may be necessary for the controller to additionally control the liquid flow valve (reference 52, FIG. 1) and the amount liquid being delivered to the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 over ducting 50. Alternatively, if a pressurized liquid reservoir (tank) is used, the user may instead selectively perform a venting action to reduce liquid pressure within the tank in proportion to the reduction of air being supplied to the atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90. It will be recognized that in this third mode, with the alternative configuration including the dotted line 98 connection from area 95 to air channel 96 (as shown in FIG. 3), a different proportional relationship with respect to the delivery of heated air to the pattern shaping ports 90 is provided because the pattern shaping ports 90 will receive air from area 95 instead of area 99.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which schematically illustrates an alternative implementation of a spraying system 10 adapted for use, for example, in a hand held spraying application. The use in FIG. 5 of structures and reference numbers identical to those shown in FIG. 1 indicates the use in FIG. 5 of same or similar components. Further description of those same or similar components will not be provided in connection with the description of FIG. 5 unless necessary to explain additional components and features.

Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 is an air ionization system 60 coupled to the ducting 51 which delivers heated air to the air outlet 34. The air ionization system 60 functions to ionize the heated air which forms the air stream 37. The air ionization system 60 may receive power from the same external power supply which supplies power to the heating system 54. The ionization of the air delivered from the air outlets of the system will assist in charging the spray cloud so as to improve coating uniformity and reduce overspray.

Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 is an electrostatics system 61 coupled to the nozzle 30 which, in a preferred implementation, inductively charges the spray cloud 33 output from the nozzle jet 32. The electrostatics system 61 may receive power from the same external power supply which supplies power to the heating system 54. It will be understood, however, that other forms of electrostatic charging may be implemented, including contact charging in which the electrostatic charge is applied to the liquid which is received by the hand held spray member. Electrostatically charging the spray cloud will improve coating uniformity and reduce overspray.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6A which shows a side view of an electrostatic air-atomizing nozzle 30 adapted with supplemental air outlets 34 for use in the system 10 of FIG. 1 (and specifically for installation within a hand held spray member enclosure). The nozzle 30 includes a first air inlet 110 associated with the ducting within the hand held spray member to receive the higher pressure air required for atomization at the spray jet outlet 32 of the liquid received at a liquid inlet 112 associated with the ducting (reference 50, FIG. 1) within the hand held spray member. This atomization air is supplied by the internal ducting to the high pressure atomization air port 91 annularly surrounding the spray jet outlet 32. The nozzle 30 further includes a second air inlet 114 associated with the ducting (reference 51, FIG. 1) within the hand held spray member to receive heated air for delivery to the low pressure “supplemental” air outlet(s) 34. Appropriately configured ducting is provided within the nozzle body 116 to couple the supplemental air inlet 114 to the supplemental air outlets 34 in the nozzle cap 118. FIG. 6B shows a front view of the nozzle of FIG. 6A. The supplemental air outlets 34 for supplying warming/drying air are positioned to surround the jet spray outlet 32. In addition, one or more of these outlets 34 may also be positioned and configured to function to shape the spray pattern, for example, shape the spray cloud into a flat fan-like spray shape, and thus could comprise pattern shaping air ports 90.

It will be understood that an electrostatic nozzle is shown in FIG. 6A (with electrostatic control voltage applied through signal line 120), but that the nozzle of FIG. 6A could, if desired, omit the included electrostatic charging apparatus and operate instead as a conventional, non-electrostatic, air atomizing nozzle (with supplemental air ports as shown).

The system 10 supports a controlled spraying and drying operation. This operation includes using the hand held spray member and the heated air stream 37 in one or more passes over the skin of the customer. This heated air treatment serves one primary purpose of warming the skin of the customer in anticipation of a subsequent liquid spraying. Next, the hand held spray member with the jet outlet 32 and air outlet 34 is used in one or more passes to spray a skin treatment liquid over the customer's skin. The heated air stream 37 in this step is used to warm the spray cloud 33 produced by the nozzle 30. More particularly, the heated air stream 37 is directed at the leading edge of the spray cloud 33 as the hand held spray member moves along the customer's skin and applies the liquid. A heated air stream 37 may additionally be directed at the trailing edge of the spray cloud to initiate a drying of the skin surface. Last, the hand held spray member and the heated air stream 37 alone is used in one or more passes over the skin of the customer. This heated air treatment serves two purposes: a) it dries the skin quickly after spraying which has been shown to enhance the end result of the spraying; and b) it keeps the customer warm (perhaps in anticipation of a subsequent spraying). The foregoing operations may then be repeated for those applications which require multiple spray passes (such as to provided thicker coverage or to change liquid application).

The system 10 described herein supports exercising control over the operation of the heated air flow, heat levels, nozzle operation, liquid selection, and nozzle movement. An exemplary sequence of operations comprises: pre-heating of spray area (target) with heated air; application of a first spray solution (with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated air application; application of a second spray solution (with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated air application; application of a third spray solution (with or without heated air); and a final drying cycle using heated air application. Another exemplary sequence of operations comprises: pre-heating of spray area with heated air; first pass application of a first spray solution (with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated air application; second pass application of the same first spray solution (with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated air application; first pass application of a second spray solution (with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated air application; second pass application of the same second spray solution (with or without heated air); and a final drying cycle using heated air application.

Improved results using the apparatus and process described herein, with a trial using DHA (dihydroxyacetone) based sunless tanning compounds, include:

• • Increased tan color by allowing higher quantities of sprayed active ingredient to be deposited due to a layering process where the spray is applied; the skin is re-dried quickly by the warm air flow before another spray pass over the same target area;
  • Promotes deeper activity of DHA by drying the top layer of skin completely and possibly by drying inner layers of the stratum corneum skin layer; this results in longer lasting tan color;
  • Opens skin surface pores to allow for better penetration of tanning compound and skin care ingredients;
  • Properly controlled heated air dries the skin of any perspiration or other moisture, including the water based spray itself, that may cause an uneven tanning effect and prevent penetration into skin layers;
  • Prevents dripping or streaking of the sprayed material during the tanning process which can cause an uneven tanning result; and
  • Eliminates the step of drying the skin off with a towel which causes partial removal and disturbance of the evenly deposited layer from the spray application.

Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus, comprising:

a hand held spray member;

a spray nozzle supported by the hand held spray member, the spray nozzle including a spray jet outlet adapted to spray a skin treatment liquid from the spray nozzle and produce a finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid;

a warm air outlet separate from the spray jet outlet, the warm air outlet adapted to deliver heated air in a warm air stream directed to mix with and warm the finely atomized spray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet; and

a controller adapted to control actuation of the spray nozzle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heating unit supported by the hand held spray member and adapted to heat the air delivered to the warm air outlet for the warm air stream.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the spray jet outlet is adapted to spray the skin treatment liquid along a first trajectory and the warm air outlet is adapted to deliver the heated air in the warm air stream along a second trajectory, further wherein the first and second trajectories intersect each other such that the heated air in the warm air stream mixes with the finely atomized spray cloud.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the spray jet outlet is adapted to spray the skin treatment liquid along a first trajectory and the warm air outlet is adapted to deliver the heated air in the warm air stream along a second trajectory, further wherein the second trajectory is oriented to mix the heated air in the warm air stream into one of a leading or trailing edge of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle induces a drop in temperature of the skin treatment liquid within the finely atomized spray cloud due to a nozzle expansion effect, and wherein the warm air stream directed to mix with the finely atomized spray cloud counteract the induced drop in temperature.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted to control operation of the apparatus in a plurality of modes including:

a first mode wherein the warm air stream is delivered from the warm air outlet simultaneously with production of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid at the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle for the purpose of warming the finely atomized spray cloud; and

a second mode wherein the warm air stream is delivered from the warm air outlet absent production of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid for the purpose of drying a target surface on which the production of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid is deposited.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle is an air-assisted atomizing type nozzle including at least one atomizing air port, and wherein received air for use in providing the warm air stream at the warm air outlet is also supplied to the atomizing air port of the air-assisted atomizing type nozzle for use in atomizing the skin treatment liquid at the spray jet outlet.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a valve supported by the hand held spray member that is adapted to selectively direct the received air towards one or both of the atomizing air port of the air-assisted atomizing type nozzle and the warm air outlet.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the valve has a controllable position, wherein the controllable position includes: a first position for directing received air towards the at least one atomizing air port; a second position for directing received air towards the warm air outlet; and a third position for directing received air towards both the at least one atomizing air port and the warm air outlet.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for imparting an electrostatic charge on the finely atomized spray cloud.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a triggering mechanism to control actuation of the spray nozzle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve supported by the hand held spray member and adapted to selectively pass skin treatment liquid to the spray jet outlet.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inlet adapted to receive the skin treatment liquid.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the inlet is further adapted to be coupled to a container which is adapted to hold the skin treatment liquid.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a receptacle supported by the hand held spray member and adapted to receive the container holding the skin treatment liquid.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for ionizing the air in the warm air stream.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the warm air outlet is further adapted to deliver heated air in the warm air stream directed to shape a spray pattern of the finely atomized spray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet.

18. Apparatus for hand held spraying, comprising:

a housing adapted to be held by a human hand;

a spray nozzle mounted to the housing, the spray nozzle including a spray jet outlet adapted to spray a skin treatment liquid from the spray nozzle and produce a finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid for deposition on a target surface;

at least one auxiliary air outlet mounted to the housing separate from spray jet outlet, said auxiliary air outlet adapted to deliver a stream of heated air; and

a controller operable to selectively actuate the spray jet outlet and support operation of the apparatus for hand held spraying in: a first operating mode operable to direct the stream of heated air to mix with the finely atomized spray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet so as to warm a temperature of the finely atomized spray cloud which has been cooled by nozzle expansion effect at the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle; and a second mode operable to direct the stream of heated air in the absence of production of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid from the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle so as to dry the target surface upon which the skin treatment liquid was deposited.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a heating source adapted to supply the heated air to the auxiliary air outlet.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the heating source is mounted within the housing.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the spray jet outlet is adapted to spray the skin treatment liquid along a first trajectory and the air outlet is adapted to deliver the stream of heated air along a second trajectory, further wherein the second trajectory is oriented to mix the stream of heated air into one of a leading or trailing edge of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the spray nozzle is an air-assisted atomizing type nozzle including at least one atomizing air port, and wherein received air for use in providing the stream of heated air at the air outlet is also supplied to the atomizing air port of the air-assisted atomizing type nozzle for use in atomizing the skin treatment liquid at the spray jet outlet.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a valve mounted within the housing and adapted to selectively direct the received air towards one or both of the atomizing air port of the air-assisted atomizing type nozzle and the air outlet.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the valve has a controllable position, wherein the controllable position includes: a first position for directing received air towards the at least one atomizing air port; a second position for directing received air towards the air outlet; and a third position for directing received air towards both the at least one atomizing air port and the air outlet.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, further including means for imparting an electrostatic charge on the finely atomized spray cloud.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controller comprises a triggering mechanism to control actuation of the spray nozzle.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a valve mounted within the housing and adapted to selectively pass skin treatment liquid to the spray jet outlet.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an inlet adapted to receive the skin treatment liquid.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the inlet is further adapted to be coupled to a container which is adapted to hold the skin treatment liquid.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a receptacle supported by the hand held spray member and adapted to receive the container holding the skin treatment liquid.

31. The apparatus of claim 18, further including means for ionizing the stream of heated air.

32. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one auxiliary air outlet is further adapted to deliver the stream of heated air to shape a spray pattern of the finely atomized spray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet.