Abstract:
The present invention relates to devices that pre-warm topical preparation intended for application to skin. Specifically, the present invention relates to devices that pre-warm a premeasured amount of a topical preparation from a larger source without warming the full source.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to devices that pre-warm topical preparation intended for application to skin. Specifically, the present invention relates to devices that pre-warm a premeasured amount of a topical preparation from a larger source without warming the full source. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are many topical preparations intended for application to unbroken skin. They may be in the form of low- to medium-viscosity lotions or oils, or higher viscosity creams or gels. The topical preparations are applied to external skin with bare hands, a clean cloth, cotton wool or gauze. They are used for all age groups, from newborns to the aging and aged demographic groups. 
         [0003]    The therapeutic benefits that come from applying warm topical preparations are numerous. Generally, the preparations that come directly from their containers are cold or cool relative to the skin. 
         [0004]    There are many known devices that act as warmers to keep topical preparations at desired warmth. In general, the container with the topical preparation is placed in the device, and the device warms the entire container and the topical preparation contained within. These devices are often sized so as to warm multiple containers with topical preparations. 
         [0005]    One limitation of these devices is that they warm the entire contents of the container. If the consumer desires to warm only a portion of the container, they must wait for the entire contents to be warmed before use. Also, there is a waste of energy if the entire contents are warmed and only a small portion of the container is used. In addition, if the consumer plans to use the topical preparations intermittently, then consumer must either keep the container continually in the warming device (wasting energy), or spend time waiting for the entire contents of the container to re-warm each time they wish to use a warm preparation. In some cases, the repeated heating and cooling of the topical preparation results in the degradation of the lotion by chemical (such as oxidation) or physical (such as phase separation). 
         [0006]    Topical preparations for application to skin are used by all age groups. Often, warming of the lotions is desired before application. There is a desire to have devices that pre-warm a premeasured amount of a topical preparation from a larger source without warming the full source. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to devices that pre-warm a premeasured amount of a topical preparation from a larger source without warming the full source. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the invention, a warming device includes a housing having a receptacle formed therein terminating in a bottom surface orifice, heating elements disposed within the housing and substantially surrounding the receptacle, an electrical connection, and a bottom surface orifice cover. The housing has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The receptacle extends from a top surface orifice to a bottom surface orifice. The electrical connection in the form of a pair of prongs is associated with the first side surface for selective coupling to an external electrical power source, the electrical connection is pivotable between a first position extending substantially perpendicular from the first side for insertion into an electrical socket and a second position, substantially parallel to the first side. The bottom surface orifice cover is mechanically connected to the electrical connection and is movable between a first position, corresponding to the first position of the electrical connection and occluding the bottom surface orifice and a second position, corresponding to the second position of the electrical connection. In the second position, the cover is displaced from the bottom surface orifice. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the invention, a kit includes the warming device described above and a container. The container includes a main body comprising a reservoir for a topical preparation and a dispensing tip arranged and configured for engaging the receptacle. 
         [0010]    In yet another embodiment, a method of heating a topical preparation employs the kit described above. The method includes the steps of inserting the dispensing tip of the container into the receptacle, inserting the electrical connection into an external electrical power source to warm the topical preparation associated with the dispensing tip of the container, removing the electrical connection from the electrical socket and pivoting the electrical connection to the second position, and dispensing a desired amount of warmed topical preparation from the dispensing tip of the container. As the electrical connection is pivoted from the first to the second position, the cover moves from a position occluding the bottom surface orifice to a second position, displaced from the bottom surface orifice to permit the topical preparation to be dispensed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment of a warming device of the present invention and a container with a topical preparation therein prior to insertion of the container into the warming device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the warming device after insertion of the topical preparation container; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment of a warming device of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a vertical sectional view of  FIG. 5  along the  7 - 7  plane; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8 a    is a side view of an embodiment of a sealing mechanism for use in the warming device of the present invention in a first position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8 b    is a side view of the sealing mechanism of  FIG. 8 a    in a second position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9 a    is a side view of the sealing mechanism of  FIG. 8 a    in conjunction with the warming device of the present invention in a first position; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9 b    is a side view of the sealing mechanism of  FIG. 9 a    in a second position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Many topical preparations, especially those intended for use on the hands, feet and body, are formulated not as a medicine delivery system, but simply to smooth, re-hydrate, and soften the skin, or to apply inert ingredients for uses such as sunscreens. These are particularly popular with very young, as well as with the aging and aged demographic groups. In the case of face usage, these preparations can also be classified as a cosmetic, and may contain fragrances. 
         [0024]    They may be in the form of low- to medium-viscosity lotions or oils, or higher viscosity creams or gels. 
         [0025]    Most lotions are oil-in-water emulsions using a substance such as cetearyl alcohol to keep the emulsion together, but water-in-oil lotions are also formulated. The key components of a skin care lotion, cream or gel emulsion (that is mixtures of oil and water) are the aqueous and oily phases, an emulgent to prevent separation of these two phases, and, if used, the drug substance or substances. A wide variety of other ingredients such as fragrances, glycerol, petroleum jelly, dyes, preservatives, proteins and stabilizing agents are commonly added to lotions. Lotions can be used for the delivery to the skin of active ingredients such as antibiotics, antiseptics, antifungals, corticosteroids, anti-acne agents, and soothing, smoothing, moisturizing or protective agents (such as calamine). 
         [0026]    It is not unusual for the same drug ingredient to be formulated into a lotion, cream and ointment. Creams are the most convenient of the three but are inappropriate for application to regions of hairy skin such as the scalp, while a lotion is less viscous and may be readily applied to these areas (many medicated shampoos are in fact lotions). Historically, lotions also had an advantage in that they may be spread thinly compared to a cream or ointment and may economically cover a large area of skin, but product research has steadily eroded this distinction. Non-comedogenic lotions are recommended for use on acne prone skin. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment of a warming device of the present invention and a container with a topical preparation therein prior to insertion of the container into the warming device. The figure shows container  10  for holding a topical preparation, and warming device  30 . Container  10  has a main body  12  with a proximal end  14 , a distal end  13 , and a dispensing tip  15  with a container dispensing orifice  16 . Warming device  30 , shown in  FIG. 1 , as well as  FIGS. 3 through 7 , has a housing  32  with a top surface  36 , a bottom surface  34 , a top surface orifice  42 , a bottom surface orifice  46 , and a cover  48 . Electrical prongs  38  are connected to internal heating element  52  via an electrical circuit. 
         [0028]    Main body  12  of container  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  is generally tubular in shape, with a generally oval cross-section. It is to be understood that the cross-section of main body  12  may be circular, triangular, rectangular, a square, a polygon, or other odd shapes such as star-shaped. Dispensing tip  15  as shown in  FIG. 1 , is generally conical in shape, with a taper from distal end  13  (larger size) to container dispensing orifice  16  (smaller size). Optionally, dispensing tip  15  has a reverse taper from distal end  13  (smaller size) to container dispensing orifice  16  (larger size), is not tapered, or has combinations thereof. Though dispensing tip  15  is shown in  FIG. 1  as generally tubular in shape with a generally oval cross-section, it is to be understood that the cross-section of dispensing tip  15  may be circular, triangular, rectangular, a square, a polygon, or other odd shapes such as star-shaped. Dispensing tip  15  may be an integral part of container  10 . Optionally, dispensing tip  15  may be threaded on one end so as to be mounted on distal end  13  of container  10 . 
         [0029]    In general, container  10 , which may also be referred to as a bottle, is formed of a material capable of being deformed by squeezing so as to move topical preparation from main body  12  of container  10  to dispensing tip  15 . The materials for container  10  include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), or made from a combination of two or more layers of these or other plastics. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a top view of warming device  30 . In this view, top surface orifice  42  and a bottom surface orifice  46  are shown, as well as optional shoulder  45 . Shoulder  45  may be used to seat distal end  13  of container  10  in warming device  30 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a vertical sectional view warming device  30  along the  7 - 7  plane of  FIG. 5 . In this view, heating elements  52  are shown in the channel  44  which runs between optional shoulder  45  in top surface orifice  42  and bottom surface orifice  46 . Channel  44  as shown in  FIG. 7 , is generally tubular in shape, with a taper from optional shoulder  45  (larger size) to bottom surface orifice  46  (smaller size). Optionally, channel  44  has a reverse taper from optional shoulder  45  (smaller size) to bottom surface orifice  46  (larger size), is not tapered, or has combinations thereof. Though channel  44  is shown in  FIG. 7  as generally tubular in shape with a generally oval cross-section, it is to be understood that the cross-section of channel  44  may be circular, triangular, rectangular, a square, a polygon, or other odd shapes such as star-shaped. 
         [0032]    Internal heating element  52  of warming device  30  is an electric heater that functions via the process of electric heating. Electric heating is any process in which electrical energy is converted to heat. The heating element inside every electric heater is simply an electrical resistor, and works on the principle of Joule heating: an electric current through a resistor converts electrical energy into heat energy. Most heating elements use Nichrome 80/20 (80% nickel, 20% chromium) wire, ribbon, or strip. Nichrome 80/20 is an ideal material, because it has relatively high resistance and forms an adherent layer of chromium oxide when it is heated for the first time. Material beneath this layer will not oxidize, preventing the wire from breaking or burning out. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1 through 6  show electrical prongs  38 . Electrical prongs  38  are connected to internal heating element  52  of warming device  30 . Though the connection is not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , it is to be understood that a simple circuit connects prongs  38  to internal heating element  52 . The circuit has prongs  38 , lead wires, heating element  52 , and optionally an on/off switch, a thermal limit switch, a fuse, a thermostat, and a pilot light. Optionally, the pilot light is mounted on the housing  32  of warming device  30  so that the consumer is aware when the electrical circuit is active. Optionally, a control light, mounted on the housing  32  of warming device  30 , may be used to alert the consumer when the topical preparation in dispensing tip  15  has reached application temperature. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of warming device  30  after insertion of topical preparation container  10 . In this embodiment, distal end  13  of container  10  is seated in shoulder  45  of warming device  30 . Dispensing tip  15  of container  10  is disposed in channel  44  of warming device  30  in contact with internal heating element  52 . Optionally, the geometry of dispensing tip  15  is matched to that of channel  44  so that dispensing tip  15  is in intimate contact with heating element  52 . 
         [0035]    As mentioned above, only dispensing tip  15  of container  10  is disposed in channel  44  of warming device  30 . Therefore, only a portion of the contents of the container are heated. This allows the consumer to warm only a portion of topical preparation prior to use. This results in several advantages over prior art devices that warm the entire container. In the prior art devices, the consumer must wait for the entire contents to be warmed before use. In addition, there is a waste of energy if the entire contents are warmed and only a small portion of the container is used. Also, if the consumer plans to use the topical preparations intermittently, then the consumer must either keep the container continually in the warming device (wasting energy), or spend time waiting for the entire contents of the container to re-warm each time they wish to use a warm preparation. In some cases, the repeated heating and cooling of the topical preparation results in the degradation of the lotion by chemical (such as oxidation) or physical (such as phase separation). The dispensing tip  15  also completely physically isolates topical preparation from the heater in contrast to known warmers that heat a certain dose by passing it through a heat exchanger. 
         [0036]    In use, the consumer would assemble the container  10  and warming device  30  as shown in  FIG. 2 , with distal end  13  of container  10  seated in shoulder  45  of warming device  30 . Dispensing tip  15  of container  10  is disposed in channel  44  of warming device  30  in contact with internal heating element  52 . Container  10  may be deformed (squeezed) to move topical preparation from main body  12  of container  10  to dispensing tip  15 . Next, the assembly is plugged into a power source via electrical prongs  38 . In one embodiment, the heating elements  52  of warming device  30  are immediately energized to begin heating topical preparation in dispensing tip  15 . Optionally, consumer displaces an on/off switch to energize the heating elements  52  of warming device  30  to begin heating topical preparation in dispensing tip  15 . 
         [0037]    The time for topical preparation in dispensing tip  15  to reach the desired use temperature is less than 20 minutes, or less than 10 minutes, or less than 5 minutes, or less than 3 minutes, or less than 1 minute. 
         [0038]    Once topical preparation in dispensing tip  15  has reached the desired temperature, consumer removes the container/warming device assembly from power source. Optionally, a control light, mounted on the housing  32  of warming device  30 , may be used to alert the consumer when the topical preparation in dispensing tip  15  has reached application temperature. Consumer then removes cover  48  from warming device  30 , and removes topical preparation from dispensing tip  15  for use. This may be accomplished by the consumer squeezing deformable container  10  to move unheated topical preparation from main body  12  of container  10  to dispensing tip  15 , displacing the heated topical preparation from dispensing tip  15  to the consumer&#39;s hand, for example. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, a sealing mechanism is used in conjunction with the electrical prongs.  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    is a side view of an embodiment of a sealing mechanism for use in warming device  30  of the present invention. The figures show sealing device  110  with electrical prongs  112 , first pinion  122 , second pinion  124 , rack  114 , shim  116 , and cover  118 . First pinion  122  is attached to electrical prongs  112 , while shim  116  is attached to second pinion  124 . Cover  118  is attached to shim  116 . 
         [0040]    Pinions  122  and  124 , along with rack  114 , are a type of “rack and pinion”. A “rack and pinion” is a type of linear actuator that comprises gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called “the pinion” engages teeth on a linear “gear” bar called “the rack”; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby translating the rotational motion of the pinion into the linear motion of the rack. 
         [0041]    In the case of sealing device  110 , when electrical prongs  112 , and attached pinion  122 , are displaced along rotational axis θ 1 , rack  114  is displaced along linear axis z. As rack  114  is displaced along linear axis z, pinion  124  and attached shim  116  are displaced along rotational axis θ 2 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8 a    shows sealing device  110  in its first position, while  FIG. 8 b    shows sealing device  110  in its second position. The gear ratios of pinions  122  and  124  are designed so that the angle of rotation along rotation axis θ 1  is equal to the angle of rotation along rotation axis θ 2 . Optionally, the angle of rotation along rotation axis θ 0   1  is greater than or less than the angle of rotation along rotation axis θ 2 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    are side views of one embodiment of sealing device  110  in conjunction with warming device  30 . When sealing device  110  is in first position (as in  FIG. 9 a   ), cover  118  is positioned so as to prevent flow of topical preparation out of bottom surface orifice  46  of warming device  30 . When sealing device  110  is in second position (as in  FIG. 9 b   ), cover  118  is positioned so as to allow flow of topical preparation out of bottom surface orifice  46  of warming device  30 . 
         [0044]    In use, the consumer would assemble the container  10  and warming device  30  as described above, with sealing device  110  is its first position. Container  10  may be deformed (squeezed) to move topical preparation from main body  12  of container  10  to dispensing tip  15 . The assembly is then plugged into a power source via electrical prongs  38 . In one embodiment, the heating elements  52  of warming device  30  are immediately energized to begin heating topical preparation in dispensing tip  15 . Optionally, consumer displaces an on/off switch to energize the heating elements  52  of warming device  30  to begin heating topical preparation in dispensing tip  15 . 
         [0045]    The time for topical preparation in dispensing tip  15  to reach the desired use temperature is less than 20 minutes, or less than 10 minutes, or less than 5 minutes, or less than 3 minutes, or less than 1 minute. 
         [0046]    Once topical preparation in dispensing tip  15  has reached the desired temperature, consumer removes the container/warming device assembly from power source. Optionally, a control light, mounted on the housing  32  of warming device  30 , may be used to alert the consumer when the topical preparation in dispensing tip  15  has reached application temperature. Consumer then displaces electrical prongs  112 , and attached pinion  122 , along rotational axis θ 1 , removing cover  118  from bottom surface orifice  46  of warming device  30 . This allows flow of topical preparation from dispensing tip  15  of warming device  30 . Topical preparation may be removed by the consumer squeezing deformable container  10  to move unheated topical preparation from main body  12  of container  10  to dispensing tip  15 , displacing the heated topical preparation from dispensing tip  15  to the consumer&#39;s hand, for example. 
         [0047]    The advantage of sealing device  110  is when prongs  112  are in the first position, warming device  30 , is sealed preventing accidental discharge of heated topical preparation from the device. Accidental discharge may result if the consumer inadvertently squeezes deformable container  10  when removing it from power source, for example. 
         [0048]    The specification and embodiments above are presented to aid in the complete and non-limiting understanding of the invention disclosed herein. Since many variations and embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.