Patent ID: 12239603

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description of the preferred embodiments is presented to describe the present invention without limiting the scope of the invention.

The present invention is directed to a container2for containing and dispensing a personal care product, the container2comprising a cavity3for holding the personal care product, an opening16for dispensing the personal care product, and at least one working feature for soft tissue mobilization.

As shown in each of the preferred embodiments illustrated, including a first embodiment generally shown inFIGS.1-5and an alternative embodiment generally shown inFIGS.6-10, various corners and edges of the container2are designed for acting on various body parts. In this regard, the opening16for dispensing the personal care product held in the cavity3for the embodiment ofFIGS.1-5is merely on a side or surface of the container2, while the opening16for the embodiment ofFIGS.6-10is incorporated into a corner10awith a cap18covering the opening16.

The preferred container2has opposed front surface4aand rear surface4b, each surface4comprising a body having a periphery6with a first end, a second end, a top and a bottom. The preferred container2also has four sides8including a left side8a, a right side8b, a top side8cand a bottom side8d, the sides8extending between said front4aand rear4bsurfaces, providing a depth. As will be described later, one or more of the sides8comprise working features of the container2.

In the preferred embodiments shown, the container2viewed at the front surface also has four corners10, the corners10being at changes of direction in the sides8of the container2to form “nubs” that may comprise working features of the container2. It is understood that the corners10may be rounded rather than sharp, and that the angles of the corners10are based on the sides8adjacent any rounded feature of the corner10. One or more of these corners10comprise working features of the container2.

Preferably, the container2has at least one peripheral section comprising a concave edge and at least one peripheral section comprising a convex edge. More preferred, the container2has at least two concave or convex peripheral portions, with two concave peripheral portions and a convex peripheral portion being most preferred. As shown inFIG.1, the left side8acomprises a convex peripheral portion, the right side8band top side8ccomprise concave peripheral portions and the bottom side8dcomprises a flat surface for standing the container2on a flat surface.

The preferred container2has at least one acute corner10a, where the angle of the corner is less than 90 degrees, and at least one obtuse corner10b, where the angle of the corner is greater than 90 degrees. It is understood that any combination of acute, obtuse, and even 90 degree corners may be used, limited only by geometry, including on containers2with more or less than four sides8having a different number of corners10with acute, obtuse or right angles. Moreover, notwithstanding the angle, it is understood that the corners10may be, and preferably are, at least partially rounded.

Additionally, the preferred container2has at least one side8that comprises a bevel12, comprising an angled transition associated with at least a portion of one or more sides. As shown inFIGS.1,3,4,6,9and10, the bevel12divides the side8between the front and rear surfaces with the side8divided between a 90 degree portion, which can be relative to the front or rear surface, and a beveled portion12. Alternatively, the side8can comprise two bevels12forming an obtuse angle coming to a peak on the side8, without a 90 degree portion. Also, the side8is shown as divided in the middle, however, any suitable division between the front4aand rear4bsurfaces may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the container2has at least one aperture14extending between the front4aand rear4bsurfaces to assist in controlling the container2during soft tissue mobilization. It is preferred that the size and shape of the aperture14conforms to one or more of the user's fingers, and preferably all four fingers, so that the fingers and thumb wrap around the handle formed by the aperture14and the peripheral edge6of the container2adjacent the aperture14. This permits the user to engage the aperture14to securely grasp the container2, placing multiple fingers through the aperture14and having the palm of the hand rest against the adjacent side8aof the container2.

The benefits of the above described features are known to those skilled in the physical therapy art. In this regard, the preferred beveled edge12, including a double beveled edge or a 90 degree beveled edge, allows for greater soft tissue activation, to aid in release of fascial restrictions. The greater activation on the soft tissue allows for shorter treatment times. Release of fascial restrictions lead to optimal muscle functioning.

The preferred concave sides8band8care directed toward global adhesions and general muscle aches. The convex side8ais more aggressive and is geared towards localized specific adhesions and trigger points. The different sizes of both convex and concave edges are geared toward different size body parts. For example, the concave side8bcan be used for global adhesions on the Quadriceps or other large muscle groups. The convex side8acan be used for local adhesions on the Biceps or other moderately sized muscle groups.

To facilitate the use of the container2as a soft tissue manipulation tool, one or more of the container walls may comprise a thickened wall20that provides greater strength to a related working feature. As shown inFIG.5, the thickened wall20can be in the area of the acute corner10aor an obtuse corner10bto reduce the risk of the corner10collapsing with the application of force against a user's body when in use.

In another embodiment, shown inFIG.8, the volume of the cavity3can be limited by a wall22which reduces the contents of the personal care product held in the container. This is particularly useful when the personal care product is of high cost, such as when the cavity3contains a medicated product. In any event, the opening16is anticipated to be a resealable opening16, however, a non-resealable opening can be used for a single use container2.

In the most preferred embodiment, each side8and corner10of the container2can be utilized on the body. Even after the personal care product of container2is used, the container can still be utilized effectively on the body parts with a soap or lotion from a different source.

In addition to being the natural handle, the convex side8aof the container2can be used like a rounded tool to work on larger muscle groups and body parts such as the calves, quadriceps and arms. The concave beveled edge8bof the container2can be the primary part of the tool. This edge8bcan be very useful on a variety of muscle groups.

The acute nub or acute corner10aon the upper right side of the container2shown inFIGS.1,3and5-8is intended to be used on knotted muscles and trigger points on the body in the feet, neck, hands, forearms, shoulders, etc. The slightly larger acute corner10bon the upper left side of the container2is intended to be used on knotted muscles and trigger points on the body in the legs, neck, hands, forearm, shoulders, etc. The concave right side8bof the container2is intended to be used in the same fashion as the concave top side8c, but can be utilized for slightly larger muscle areas in the quads, calves, and arms.

The container2can have any suitable dimensions, but preferably has a height dimension of about 6 to 45 cm, and more preferably from about 12 to 32 cm, a width dimension of from about 6 to 45 cm, and more preferably from about 12 to 32 cm, and a depth dimension of from about 1 to 12 cm, and more preferably from about 2 to 8 cm. The most preferred dimensions are a height of about 16 to 24 cm, a width of about 16 to 24 cm and a depth of about 3 to 7 cm.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal care product contained in the cavity3of container2comprises 1-5% Menthol, which has also been proven to decrease pain perception on a Visual Analog scale superior to ice. The combination of the shape of the container2and ingredients of the personal care product are designed to relieve fascial adhesions and muscular trigger points while at the same time creating a safe, therapeutic analgesic effect. This will allow for optimal healing and overall muscle recovery.

The preferred personal care product may also, or alternatively, comprise one or more essential oils, aromatherapy ingredients, CBD, moisturizers, etc., which work in conjunction with the IASTYM methodology to promote improved circulation, stimulation of neurologic pathways, health benefits, etc.

The container2can be used in the shower as part of one's bathing routine. A customer will take container2, dispense a portion of the personal care product contained in the cavity through the resealable opening16and lather it up. It will immediately release the essential oils into the air, and the CBD, menthol, lavender oil, Roman chamomile or other active ingredients will begin being absorbed into the skin. Using downward strokes, at the appropriate angle, the user can repeatedly work the affected muscle area. After about 1-2 minutes the user can use the container2to cleanse or otherwise treat other parts of their body.

For example, a competitive soccer player with a sore right hip flexor can enter a warm shower, grasp the container2by the handle formed in connection with aperture14, dispense a portion of the personal care product onto an affected area, and proceed to use the container2on the affected area. Employing about 25-50 strokes using the leading concave, preferably beveled edge12to break up the myofascial adhesions in the hip flexor, the user feels immediate relief from the combined action of the essential oils/menthol and longer term palliative response from the anti-inflammatory effects of the CBD. The muscle fiber can now recover more quickly.

The container2of the present invention takes the concept of soft-tissue mobilization therapy and blends it with a soap and/or personal care product to treat soft tissue dysfunction and provide preventative, proactive manual therapy. This aids in the user's relaxing tense muscles, reducing scar tissue, stretching fascia, lengthening fascia, cleaning skin, creating an aromatherapy response to promote health and wellness, reducing inflammation, etc.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the current invention. Accordingly, this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since variation, modification, and/or alternatives can occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. All such variations, modifications and/or alternatives are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, and all patents, patent application publications, and references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

The term “comprising” as used in the following claims is an open-ended transitional term that is intended to include additional elements not specifically recited in the claims. It is also noted that any feature or element positively identified in this document may also be specifically excluded as a feature or element of an embodiment of the present invention.