GB2480647A

GB2480647A - Curved device with nodules providing exfoliating or itching effect

Info

Publication number: GB2480647A
Application number: GB201008792A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Hassall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-26
Filing date: 2010-05-26
Publication date: 2011-11-30
Also published as: GB201008792D0

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus for exfoliating skin and/or for the relief of itches, comprising a member having at least one curved outer surface 30 and a least one array of nodules 50 on at least a portion of the outer surface of the member. The arrangement of features provides for the gentle relief of itches by rubbing the apparatus across the itch without causing trauma to the skin. The nodules may be hemispherical and may be integral to the surface or provided on a carrier. A handle may be attached or provided. Reservoir means 60 for dispensing a lotion may also be provided in the device, connected via a pipe 70 to the surface 80 of the device.

Description

Apparatus for exfoliating skin and/or for the relief of itches The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for exfoliating skin and/or for the relief of itches and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility as a therapeutic device for sufferers of eczema and the like.

There are many causes for itches, such as eczema and insect bites. A sufferer will typically scratch the itch with their fingernails. This may cause skin trauma, such as breaking of the skin, risking bacterial infection and prolonging of the suffering and/or extension of the recovery time.

It is known to use lotions in an attempt to soothe such itches but this is not always as effective as scratching. It is also known to use items such as clothing, combs, or specifically designed scratching tools (such as back-scratchers) to relleve the itch.

However, these items are typically made from hard materials which may also cause trauma to the skin.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a device or apparatus which may be used to effectively scratch an itch to provide rellef but which is designed in such a way that it does not cause trauma to the skin.

In a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for exfoliating skin and/or for the relief of itches, comprising a member having at least one curved outer surface and a least one array of nodules on at least a portion of the outer surface of the member.

The apparatus may be rubbed or moved across the area of concern such that the nodules gentiy stimulate the surface of the skin without causing trauma, to relieve the itch. In one embodiment, the nodules scratch the skin but do not break it.

The apparatus may include at least one planar outer surface. The apparatus may be in the form of an outer substantially planar surface with a dome shape above. The apparatus may have a length of approximately 40 to 60 mm, more preferably 55 mm, a width of approximately 40 to 60 mm, more preferably 48 mm, and a height of approximately 15 to 30 mm, more preferably 23 mm.

The curved surface allows for greater contact between the array of nodules and the user's skin in such places as the palm of the hand, and other areas having curving contours/being contoured.

The apparatus may include at least one convex and/or concave outer surface.

I

The nodules may be approximately 0.5 to 1 mm in diameter and stand proud of the outer surface of the member by approximately 0.5 to 1 mm. Other dimensions are contemplated, such as 0.6 mm.

The nodules may be substantially hemi-spherical in shape. Other possible shapes are rod, pyramidal, conical and cuboid structures.

The at least one array may have a spacing of approximately 4 to 5 mm. Other spacings such as I to 4 mm and 3 to 6 mm are also contemplated. The pattern of the nodules in the at least one array may be regular or irregular.

The curved outer surface may include at least one array of nodules. There may be more than one array separate from one another. For instance, one array may be provided on the substantially flat surface, and one array may be provided on the top of the dome shape. Another array may be provided substantially at the junction of the dome shape and the flat surface.

The nodules may be provided integrally with the member. For instance, the member may be moulded from plastics.

Alternatively, the nodules may be provided on a carrier which is attachable to the member. For instance, the carrier may be a flexible sleeve which is adhered, or shrunk, onto the nieniber.

The apparatus may include means for attaching a handle. The apparatus may include a handle. This may allow the device to be used by people who cannot reach an itch such as on their backs or feet.

The apparatus may include a lotion dispenser. This may comprise an orifice through the outer surface of the member with the lotion being included inside the member. Dispensing of the member may be effected by squeezing of the member, or by pressing a button or other means provided with the apparatus. The term "lotion" is used herein to include any medicament, cream etc. The lotion dispenser may include means for holding a cartridge containing a lotion. In this way, the apparatus may be "re-filled" by replacement of the cartridge within the member.

It is known that the re-hydration of skin by way of moisturisation is one of the most effective ways of managing and controlling eczema related conditions. The apparatus may be beneficial for the application of a lotion either from within the apparatus or from an external source. The nodules may massage and help the penetration of the lotion into the skin, whilst also soothing the affected area.

It is also known that dry scaly skin lying on top of newly forming skin may be a cause of an irritant/itch. The apparatus may be beneficial in helping to remove the dry scaly skin whilst using the apparatus with or without lotion.

The apparatus may include a substantially fiat surface.

The entire outer surface of the member may be covered in an array of nodules.

The nodules may be formed of a substantial resilient material, such as an elastomer or rubber.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of relieving an itch comprising the steps of providing an apparatus according to the first aspect and as described and/or claimed herein, and rubbing said apparatus across the area of concern to relieve said itch.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the underside of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the invention.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the si2e of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

The apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a member 20 having a curved or domed upper surface 30 and a substantially planar lower surface 40. The lower surface includes an array of nodules 50. These are in the form of hemispheres.

The apparatus 10 also includes a reservoir 60 within the member 20. A pipe 70 connects this reservoir 60 to an orifice 80 in the surface of the member 20. The reservoir may contain a lotion or the like.

An underside view of the apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 2, viewed from the direction of the arrow referenced "A" in Figure 1.

The array of nodules 50 is shown on the surface of the member 20.

An alternatively shaped apparatus 110 is depicted in Figure 3. The apparatus 110 comprises a member 120 having a first portion 122 and a second portion 124. The first portion 122 includes a substantially planar part 130. The second portion 124 is substantially curved in form. The two portions 122, 124 extend away from each other at approximately 90 degrees. The junction 135 of the two portions 120, 122 may be curved, such that the apparatus 110 has a concave portion on one side of the junction and a convex portion on the opposite side. The apparatus 110 appears to resemble an approximate "tick" shape in a side view.

The apparatus 110 comprises curved portions 140 at either end. These curved portions 140 allow the apparatus to be used with portions of skin which is naturally curved. The thickness of the first portion 122 is such that it may be inserted between digits either on the hand or foot. For instance it may be approximately 8mm in thickness, although other dimensions are contemplated.

Two arrays 150, 152 of nodules are provided on the apparatus 110. One array 150 is provided on one side of the first portion and the other array 152 is provided on the opposite side. Other arrays may be provided in other places (not shown) on the surface of the apparatus 110.

The apparatus may be described as a therapy device.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for exfoliating skin and/or for the relief of itches, comprising a member having at least one curved outer surface and a least one array of nodules on at least a portion of the outer surface of the member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nodules are approximately 0.5 to I mm in diameter and stand proud of the outer surface of the member by approximately 0.5 to 1 mm.
3. The apparatus of either one of claims I and 2, wherein the nodules are substantially hemi-spherical in shape.
4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one array has a spacing of approximately 4 to 5 mm.
5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the curved outer surface includes at least one array of nodules.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the nodules are provided integrally with the member.
7. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 5, wherein the nodules are provided on a carrier which is attachable to the member.
8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, including means for attaching a handle.
9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, including a handle.
10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, including a lotion dispenser.
11. The apparatus of d*ini 10, wherein the lotion dispenser includes tnnns for holding a cartridge contnining a lotion.
12. The apparatus of any preceding dsirn, including a substantially flat surface.
13. The apparatus of any preceding dsini, wherein the entire outer surface of the member is covered in an array of nodules.
14. The apparatus of any preceding dsini, wherein the nodules are formed of a substantial resilient materkt
15. Apparatus for exfoliating skin and/or for the relief of itches, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.