WO1994004116A1 - Hand-held, multi-purpose portable steamer - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand-held, portable steamer device (220) for treating skin surfaces includes a housing (222), and a modular liquid reservoir (228) in the housing (222). A steam generator is provided in the housing (222) for converting a liquid to a vapor and for supplying the steam or vapor to the skin surfaces to be treated. There is a wick (234) in the housing (222) for supplying liquid from the liquid reservoir (228) to the steam generator. Preferably, the steam generator is detachably attached to the modular liquid reservoir (228).

Description

HAND-HELD, MULTI-PURPOSE PORTABLE STEAMER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for using the physical and the therapeutic properties of steam and vapor, as well as the use of steam and vapor along with direct physical contact of the apparatus with the skin, and also the use of the apparatus spaced away at a reasonable distance so as to still get the effect of the steam and vapor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Steam has long been used for treating the body owing to the therapeutic effects of moisture-laden vapor for treating skin and hair.

For example, the use of steam in hair treatment allows the hair fibers to be moistened and facilitates setting, shaping, and drying of the hair.

The use of steam in skin treatment is generally known, such as applied at steam baths for causing perspiration and opening of the pores. The use of steam as a body treatment aids in relaxing muscles, and helps to cleanse the skin through heating of the natural body oils to a more liquified state in which removal of the oils is facilitated as by wiping or washing away the oils.

It is known also that dead skin cells of the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) are easily exfoliated by moistening and loosening them and then wiping or washing away the dead skin cells.

It is also known that many people find it easier to remove make-up after having showered or bathed, as the make-up to be removed has been softened owing to the action of warm water and/or steam thereon.

U.S. Patent No. 4,399,349 to Deming et al. discloses an electrically heated facial sauna appliance having a heater such as a ceramic resistance or positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater enclosed in an aluminum case. A thermostat calibrated to about 100° - 110°C is attached to the Deming heater. A fan is used to propel the steam toward the face. Deming et al. generally describe putting water or aqueous solutions or emulsions containing medicaments, colognes or perfumes, moisturizers, and the like, into a water tank steam generating chamber. None of the attachments in Deming et al. Figs. 5-8 is driven.

U.S. Patent No. 3,800,810 to Mercer discloses an appliance construction for use as a hair dressing tool and a steam iron that schematically shows a tool or implement which may be a brush, comb, or the like, advantageously formed with passageways (not shown) through the comb back or brush back for passing fluid from the interior of a work head exteriorly thereof. Mercer describes the application of steam to hair for shaping hair in hair-dressing and hair-styling operations; however, no disclosure is made of applying steam to treat the hair, the skin, or the scalp.

U.S. Patent No. 4,596,565 to Ruderian discloses a salve applicator having a vibrating element independently operable for being operated independently of a blower motor. The vibrating element essentially vibrates the casing and thereby facilitates the absorption of a medicant into the pores of a body portion when the salve applicator is in use as a massager. No disclosure is made of how the Ruderian vibrating element 22 is driven, although a suggestion is made that it be driven independently of Ruderian blower motor 13.

U.S. Patent No. 1,772,501 to Shelton discloses a scalp-treating apparatus having massaging nipples formed with a hole or a duct therethrough for conducting a heated oil from a reservoir to the scalp. A vibrator for moving the entire apparatus is disclosed.

Canadian Patent No. 404,928 issued May 19, 1942 to Stuckey et al. discloses a power driven shampooing device having movably driven fingers and openings near to the base of the fingers for delivering a fluid such as shampoo to the user's scalp. A valve is provided for stopping and starting the flow of shampoo.

U.S. Patent No. 4,733,655 to S al discloses an electric massage appliance having a plurality of fingers which move successively towards and away from each other.

U.S. Patent No. 5,103,809 to DeLuca et al. discloses a massaging device having variable speed driven fingers.

Neither Smal nor DeLuca et al. discloses having means for generating steam and directing steam or other vapors adjacent to their respective massaging fingers.

The use of the term "steam" is for convenience only, as all vaporized liquids and medicated solutions that may be vaporized are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the invention to provide a compact, hand-held device which has a steam generating chamber and which directs steam at the skin surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable device which can be used as a facial massager, as well as a whole body massager. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable device which produces steam, yet which requires no fan for directing steam at the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable steamer device which avoids the drawbacks of prior art steamers.

A still further object is to avoid the presence of electrical components, including wires, in direct contact with a liquid reservoir. A further object of the invention is to eliminate the need for locating an electrical heating element in a fluid reservoir.

Another object of the invention is to provide a steamer device which can be used regardless of its orientation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a steamer in which the steam is generated close to the surface of the skin to be treated so as to avoid the temperature drop of steam present in existing devices. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a portable, therapeutic device using steam and having an improved flow path configuration for both cooling parts of the device which require cooling and for conveying steam to the user's skin for enhanced therapeutic action. A yet further object of the invention is to provide a steamer which supplies moisture-laden air directly to the skin for providing natural moisturizing of the skin.

It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a steamer device which makes unnecessary the use of harsh, alcohol-based cosmetics removing solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a steamer device which enhances the action of chemical- compounds intended for use on the skin and in the mouth.

Still another feature of the invention is to provide a hand-held steamer device having a self-contained liquid reservoir.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable steamer device having a liquid reservoir which does not leak liquid when the device is held in an inverted position while steaming.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a steamer device having a long useful life even when high impurity content tap water is used instead of distilled water.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable steamer including a wick for drawing a liquid from the reservoir to the heating element.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a wick which is sufficiently hydrophilic so as to draw up liquid readily, and, at the same time, maintain a high enough flow resistance, in part due to its "wetting angle" to prevent "flooding" when the entire device is held upside down.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a wick which is mechanically stable, even after soaking in water. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, portable, self-contained steam generation device which can apply steam to selected areas of the body while simultaneously directly contacting or being spaced from those areas. Still another object of the invention is to provide a compact steamer device including a motor which powers both a fan and a driven attachment for efficiency and for providing a compact construction.

A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a compact construction of the overall device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a single motor having a common shaft for powering a fan and a driven attachment.

Another object of the invention is to enhance the effect of skin lotions and other medications intended for application on the body.

A yet still further object of the invention is to provide for improved results by using ambient air or vapor-laden air for enhancing the action of attachments and for making the processes of treating the skin more comfortable and efficient. A still further object of the invention is to provide a steamer device which can produce vapor or steam by using a low power level AC or DC power source.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a skin treatment device having a pad through which steam can be passed and which can buff or wipe the skin surface as steam is applied.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held, self-contained steam generation device and applicator which can apply steam to selected areas of the body while simultaneously buffing or wiping those areas.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which can apply medication-laden liquid/steam having beneficial skin treatment properties to various parts of the human body. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a steamer device having a buffing element for imparting a vibrating or reciprocating motion to assist in effective skin treatment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a self-contained power unit for a steamer device for operating a buffing unit concurrently or independently of the steamer device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of buffing elements for treating various parts and varied contours of the body.

In summary, therefore, the invention is directed to steamer devices which operate directly in contact with the skin or spaced from the skin and which use steam to enhance the effectiveness of the device. In one embodiment the device includes a steam generator.

Other embodiments of the steamer device include attachments which may be stationary or motorized to remove unwanted material from the skin surface as steam is being applied, to massage the skin, to enhance entry of compounds into the skin, to treat the mouth, teeth, and gums, to massage the scalp, and to apply hot or cold packs to the body surface.

In one embodiment of the invention the treatment apparatus includes a buffing head which may be stationary or motorized to provide a reciprocating or oscillating action to vigorously rub the skin surface to remove oils, dead skin cells, make-up, dirt, and the like from the skin surface as steam is being applied. When treating facial areas, a treated pad may be used on the applicator surface to directly apply medication to the skin. Medication may also be dissolved in the liquid and released in the steam vapor to come into contact with the skin.

The invention will be further described with reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a skin steaming and treating apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hand held steam and buffing apparatus; FIGURE 3 shows a self-contained steaming and treating apparatus;

FIGURE 4 shows a plan view of a cross-section of the buffing head of Figure 2 taken along lines 4-4;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the buffing head; FIGURES 6-9 are different embodiments showing different head shapes and pad attachment structures;

FIGURE 10 shows a heating pad attached to a steam generation unit; and,

FIGURE 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a hand-held steamer device according to the invention; FIGURE 11A is a perspective view of a modular bottle adaptor according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 11B is a cross-sectional view of the modular bottle adaptor of FIG. 11A;

FIGURE lie is a top plan view of the modular bottle adaptor of FIG. 11A;

FIGURE 11D is a cross-sectional view taken along line lld-lld of FIG. 11C; FIGURE 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a buffing pad attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an air flow attachment according to the invention; FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view of the air flow attachment of Figure 13;

FIGURE 15 is a schematic, side view of a medicated pad according to the invention;

FIGURE 16 is a partially broken away schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a cold pack attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of a nail file attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 18 is a partially broken away side view of the nail file attachment of Figure 17;

FIGURE 19 is a top plan view of an eye and nose massager attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 20 is a cross-sectional view of the massager attachment of Figure 19 taken along line 20-20; FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of a callous remover attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 22 is a top plan view of the callous remover attachment of Figure 21;

FIGURE 23 is a cross-sectional view of the callous attachment of Figure 22;

FIGURE 24 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a massager attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 25 is a top plan view of the massager attachment of Figure 24;

FIGURE 26 is a cross-sectional view of the massager attachment of Figure 25, taken along line 26-26;

FIGURE 27 is a partially broken away, perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a finger massager attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 28 is a top plan view of the finger massager attachment of Figure 27;

FIGURE 29 is a cross-sectional view of the finger massager attachment of Figure 28;

FIGURE 30 is a plan view of a still further preferred embodiment of a massager attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 31 is a cross-sectional view of the massager attachment of Figure 30;

FIGURE 32 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a vacuum attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 33 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the vacuum attachment of Figure 32;

FIGURE 34 is a perspective view of a spritzer attachment according to the invention; FIGURE 35 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional view of the spritzer attachment of Figure 34;

FIGURE 36 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a gum stimulator attachment according to the invention; FIGURE 37 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a toothbrush attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 38 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a prophy cup attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 39 is a perspective view of a portion of a further preferred embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention;

FIGURE 40 is an elevational view of another preferred embodiment of a steamer according to the invention; FIGURE 41 is a cross-sectional view of a still further preferred embodiment of a portable, hand-held steamer device according to the invention;

FIGURE 42A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 41; FIGURE 42B is a view similar to FIG. 42A, of a further preferred embodiment of a valve according to the invention;

FIGURE 42C is a schematic view of the manner in which the valve of FIG. 42B is partially open; FIGURE 42D is a schematic view similar to FIG. 42C, showing the valve of FIG. 42B in a further open position;

FIGURE 42E is a schematic view similar to FIG. 42C, showing the valve of FIG. 42B in a still further open position; FIGURE 43A is a top view of a hair treatment attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 43B is a partial elevational view of the hair treatment attachment of FIG. 43A, taken along line 43a- 43a; FIGURE 43C is a top view of a slider element according to the invention;

FIGURE 43D is an elevational view of the slider element of FIG. 43C;

FIGURE 44A is a perspective view of a hair treatment attachment according to the invention;

FIGURE 44B is a sectional view of the hair attachment of FIG. 44A taken along line 44B-44B.

FIGURE 44C is a side elevational view of the hair attachment of FIG. 44A; FIGURE 44D is a partial sectional view of a portion of FIG. 44C; FIGURE 45A is a perspective view of a nasal inhaler according to the invention;

FIGURE 45B is a perspective view of an oral inhaler according to the invention; and FIGURE 45C is a perspective view of a facial inhaler according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1 and 2 show a skin treatment device 10 having an exterior casing 12 formed of plastic or other suitable material. Plastic is preferred for its durability and light weight. Casing 12 incudes a finger opening 14 therein which permits grasping of the casing 12 by the hand so that the fingers may wrap around through the hole 14 and grasp handle portion 16. Inside the handle portion 16 is located a set of batteries 18 located within a formed housing 20 and which includes the conventional wiring for providing electricity from the batteries 18 to the switch 22. The batteries are accessible through a removable plate (not shown) . It should be understood that a rechargeable battery or other power source could be substituted for the batteries 18.

Switch 22 is preferably simply an on-off device or a steam/no-steam/off three-position switch, but could also be a rheostat for variably supplying electric current from the batteries 18 to a motor 24.

Motor 24 is held in axial alignment with respect to the upper portion of the casing 12. Motor 24 is preferably of sufficient power to rotate a drive shaft at a speed between 20 and 80 rpm. Motor 24 also has sufficient torque to drive its shaft through a certain amount of resistance. The motor includes a drive shaft 26 which is connected to a rotating disk 28.

Preferably, rotating disk 28 includes a plurality of fan blades 30 which assist in sweeping the steam laden vapor out of the casing 12 and upwards to a buffing head 32. Buffing head 32 is removably connected to the rotating disk 28 by resiliently engaging the side edge 34 of the rotating disk 28 with extending legs 36 having detents 38 for engaging the side edge 34 resiliently. The buffing head 32 is shown as having a concave face 40, but other shapes may be used depending on the contour of the particular area of the body to be treated. Face 40 of buffing head 32 includes a plurality of perforations 42 which permit vapor to pass therethrough. Casing 12 includes a steam passageway 44 which connects to a hose 46 extending from a steam generator 48. The steam generator 48 includes a resistor element 50 which is supplied with electricity from a conventional plug-in outlet (not shown) . The resistor element 50 heats water in the steam chamber to create the steam which flows along hose 46 and into the casing 12. The steam generator 48 is preferably enough to hold about a pint of water. The water may be inserted through a screw-on cap (not shown) . Figure 3 shows a skin treatment device 52 which is a self-contained unit. The unit has a casing 54 having a handle hole 56 formed therein. A handle 58 is formed between the hole 56 and an outer wall 60 of the casing 54. Wall 60 includes a removable door 62 which is removably attachable to wall 60 to provide access to a battery chamber 64. A pair of batteries 66 are normally located within the battery chamber 64 and are preferably a pair of AA batteries, connected in series, which provide power to a switch 68. Switch 68 is preferably simply an on-off device (or a three position switch for providing steam + fan/ambient air + fan/power off modes) , however a rheostat may also be substituted to provide a variable control over electrical energy flowing to the motor 70.

Motor 70 is designed to operate in an rpm range between 20 and 80 rpm preferably, and provides sufficient torque to a drive shaft 72 to overcome a predetermined degree of resistance. Drive shaft 72 is connected to a combination disk and fan assembly 74 which performs two functions. First, the fan assembly 74 draws air through opening 76 from the exterior of the casing 54 and also mixes this air with steam flowing through passageway 78 from water chamber 80.

Water is prevented from flowing from water chamber 80 into passageway 78 when the skin treatment device 52 is inverted by one-way valve 82 which permits steam to pass therethrough but prevents the passage of water.

Water chamber 80 forms a container which is removable from the skin treatment device 52 and frictionally connects to casing 54. Water chamber 80 includes a resistor element 84 which heats the water held therein to generate steam. Resistor element 84 is held in place by a suitable resin 86 and includes a through wall fitting 88 which is connectable electrically to a female receptacle 90 connected to casing 54. Female receptacle 90 is electrically connected to another female receptacle 92 which is connectable with an electric cord for connecting the receptacle 92 to a wall socket.

As steam is generated in the water chamber 80, the steam flows through one-way valve 82 into passageway 78. The steam is then mixed with incoming air from passageway 76 and is mixed and drawn by fan 74 to cool the steam and propel the steam/air mixture through buffing head 94. Buffing head 94 includes a series of passageways 96 in concave face 98.

A circumferential side wall 100 extends downwardly from face 98 and preferably includes three extending legs 102 having detents 104 thereon for engaging the rotating disk assembly 74 and maintaining the buffing head in 94 in proper position.

A section taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 3 is shown in Figure 4 further illustrating buffing head 94. Figure 4 shows the pattern arrangement of perforations 96 preferably used in the buffing head. Figure 5 shows the side wall 100 having depending legs 102 and detents 104. preferably, buffing head 94 is sized to completely cover the disk and fan assembly 74 to prevent the escape of steam along the side wall 100 and enhance the flow of steam through the perforations 96. If the buffing head 94 is smaller than the area covered by the disk and fan assembly 74, then steam will escape around the side wall 100 which may result in a loss of effectiveness.

Figure 6 shows a conical shaped buffing head 106 having a pad 108 mounted thereon. Pad 108 may be formed of slightly abrasive material which aids in removing dirt and make-up and dead skin cells from the skin surface. Pad 108 may be a pad of natural fiber material or a pad of filament fiber material. Pad 108 may also be made of an absorbent material such as cotton to hold medication or absorb oils from the skin. Commercially available pads may be used such as Stridex™ and Buf Puf™ brand. Pad 108 is held in position by a series of hook and loop fastener material. The hook and loop fastener material includes one set of hooks and loops 110 mounted on the buffing head 106 and a second set of hooks or loops mounted on the surface 112 near the pad edge 114. The conical shape of buffing head 106 is preferred for areas of the skin such as the sides of the nose and around the mouth for maximum contact between the pad 106 and the skin surface.

Figure 7 shows a hemispherical shaped head 116 having a pad 118 mounted thereon. Pad 118 is held in place on head 116 by a snap ring 120 which clips into a circular slot 122 below the hemispherical head 116. Ring 120 preferably forms an arc of between 180° and 360°.

Figure 8 shows a curved buffing head 124 which is covered with hook and loop fastener material 126. Pad 128 includes complimentary hook and loop fastener material 126. Pad 128 includes complimentary hook and loop fastener material 130 mounted to the under surface thereof to connect with the hook and loop fastener surface 126 on the buffing head 124. Pad 128 is preferably constructed of material which is complimentarily fastenable to the hook and loop fasteners 126.

In addition, as described below with respect to Fig. 12, the hook part of hook-and-loop fasteners may be used, with pad 128 serving as the loop part thereof. Figure 9 shows a curved head 132 having along a side wall 134 a set of pad-engaging hooks 136. Pad 138 includes a curved surface 140 covering the curved head 132 and includes a side wall 142 surrounding a portion of the side wall 134 of the buffing head 132. Side wall 142 includes openings 144 for engaging hooks 136 on side wall

134 for retaining the pad 138 on curved buffing head 132.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the steam generator 146 is used to provide a steady flow of steam through hose 148 to a compress-type device 150. Compress 150 includes a porous pad 152 which envelopes a series of steam supply tubes 154 to provide a uniform flow of steam throughout the compress 150. The compress 150 can be used as a heating pad and can be attached to various portions of the body such as joints to provide relief from arthritis pains as well as muscle strains and can also be used as a facial towel to open the pores of the skin in preparation for treatment with cleaning pads or medication. Complimentary hook and loop fastener strips 158 may also be applied to the porous enclosure to assist in maintaining the compress in position on a portion of the body.

Compress 150 may be attached by hose 148 directly to the hand-held embodiment of the steamer. In that case an adapter can be used that directs all the steam produced into a single outlet connectable to hose 148.

Figure 11 shows a portable, hand-held steamer device 220 having a housing 222 made of plastic or of another suitable material. Steamer device 220 includes a lower portion 224 and an upper portion 226. Lower portion 224 is configured for being held in the hand of a user.

Figures 11A-11D show details of a modular bottle adapter M.

A liquid reservoir 228 is disposed in lower portion 224 of housing 222 thanks to its being retained by modular bottle adapter M. Liquid reservoir 228 is formed of a suitable material for retaining liquids such as water and medications.

Threads 230 are disposed at a top part of reservoir 228 for releasably attaching reservoir 228 to mating threads 231 of modular bottle adaptor M. As required, an O-ring or gasket can be disposed between the upper part of reservoir 228 and housing 222 for ensuring that undesirable loss of liquid from reservoir 228 is prevented.

One or more airflow openings 232 is defined in modular bottle adaptor M. A wick 234 is secured by wick holder 235 of housing 222. Wick 234 may be made of natural fibers suitable for operation at elevated temperature or an appropriately selected synthetic material such as a dimensionally stable fibrous material (e.g., PRYOPEL® supplied by A L International L.P., Mansfield, Massachusetts) which has desired wicking and temperature properties.

It is preferred that wick 234 is made of a material having sufficient wicking action to draw a liquid from liquid reservoir 228, while having sufficient flow resistance for preventing excessive flow of liquid from wick 234 when liquid reservoir 228 has been at least partially inverted; e.g. , when reservoir 228 is in an orientation in which liquid reservoir 228 is disposed partially above one or both of a condensation collector 238 and a heating element 240 while in use. A fluid passage 239 (FIG. 11D) returns condensate to reservoir 228. Heating element 240 is electrically connected by one or more conductors 241 via a resilient conductor element 243 to a power source (not shown) such as rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, or to a standard AC or DC power source. As best seen in FIGS. 11A and lie, it is preferred that electrical connection posts 242 be provided for releasably attaching and electrically connecting conductors 241. Heating element 240 can be plugged into or soldered onto posts 242 by means of conductors 241. For connection to an external power source, or for connection to a standard recharger, an adapter 244 is provided which is inserted into and electrically connected with receptacle 246. All electrical connections can be soldered or configured as male/female connectors, as required.

Known electrical wires 248 electrically connect receptacle 246 (or the battery power source) with a first printed circuit (PC) board 249. A motor 250, which is preferably a DC motor, is electrically connected to a second printed circuit (PC) board 251 via connector 252. Second PC board 251 is electrically connected by wires 253 to first PC board 249. First PC board 249 is connected, in turn, to a standard multi-position switch 254, the positions of which are selected by, for example, lateral sliding of a slide element 256 relative to housing 222 and, hence, relative to the body of switch 254.

Motor 250 is provided with a rear drive shaft 258 and a front drive shaft 260 for powering a drive shaft socket or modular coupling 261. Rear drive shaft 258 drives a fan 262 while concurrently driving a transmission or gear train 264 by means of front drive shaft 260 and associated drive shaft coupling 261.

Multi-position switch 254 includes an off position in which both motor 250 and heater 240 are off; a fan- only position in which heater 240 is off and motor 250 is on for powering fan 262 and front drive shaft 260; and a motor-plus-vaporizer position in which both motor 250 and heater 240 are on for supplying steam or other vapor to a surface to be treated.

A powered attachment is detachably attached to housing 222. A detent 271 is defined in upper portion 226 of housing 222 for detachably holding the driven attachment, as will be described more fully below. An attachment is mated by use of a coupling member 272 to a driven shaft 273 for being releasably attached to a driven member of transmission 264, which may be geared down by means of gears 274.

An ambient air inlet 280 is provided in lower portion 224 of housing 222 for introducing air into device 220. Air then passes through air passage 282, air passage 284, and after which fan 262 forces the air through both a cooling air inlet 286 and drives air past wick 234 and heating element 240. The cooling air 283 continues on through cooling air outlet 288 and cooling air outlet 290, the cooling air finally exiting device 220. The other portion of the ambient air drawn in through air passage 284 follows a path generally shown by ambient air flow arrow 285 thereby becoming moisturized air designated by an arrow 291 after passing wick 234 and heating element 240. Moisturized air 291 continues out through an attachment to moisturize and/or otherwise treat the user's face, for example.

To use hand-held steamer device 220 of Figure 11, a liquid such as water, a medication, or a combination thereof, is poured into liquid reservoir 228. Liquid reservoir 228 is attached to housing 222 by engagement with threads 230.

If the user desires steam while using an attachment, then slide element 256 of switch 254 is moved to a "steam on" position. The steam on position electrically connects the power source to motor 250 and to heating element 240. Heating element 240, which is preferably a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor, begins to heat immediately. The PTC thermistor is preferably a temperature-dependent semiconductor resistor having a resistance value which rises sharply with increasing temperature after a defined temperature (reference temperature) has been exceeded. Given this characteristic property, no thermostat for controlling the temperature of heating element 240 is required. No thermostat is required because the PTC thermistor itself operates to avoid undesirable excessive temperatures, even if no liquid remains in liquid reservoir 228. This self regulation is achieved by virtue of the resistance value of the PTC thermistor increasing with increasing temperatures. A PTC thermistor which has been attached to a DC power source and successfully used was consistent with the German Industrial Standard, DIN 44080.

When the temperature of heating element 240 has reached 100°C, such as when water is to be vaporized, then steam generation in the vicinity of wick 234 occurs. The ambient air which has been drawn through air passages 280, 282 and 285 then picks up vapor or steam, after which vapor-laden or moisturized air 291 continues past wick 234 and exits housing 222 through steam vent holes defined in a particular attachment. Given that front drive shaft 260 is being driven by motor 250 at the same time as rear drive shaft 258 which powers fan 262, the attachment being used is driven for contacting the skin at the same time moisturized air or steam is being applied to the skin. A standard DC motor of about 2400 rpm (revolutions per minute) has been successfully used with a transmission 264 having gearing 274 selected to reduce the rpm of front drive shaft 260 to a range of about 10 to 80 rpm for driving the various attachments.

If one likes to use a particular attachment with just ambient air blowing onto the skin surfaces to be treated, one shifts slide element 256 from the off position of switch 254 into the fan-only position by which heater 240 remains off and motor 250 is energized, so that ambient air is forced by fan 262 through the air flow passages shown in Figure 11, and through respective vapor passages of the attachment. Some users find that the drying effect caused by this forced ambient air being exhausted directly adjacent the skin surfaces enhances the effect of the treatment.

Other users who want to have steam and air exhausted directly adjacent the skin will shift slide element 256 into the position in which switch 254 is in its motor- plus-vaporizer position whereby motor 250 and heater 240 are energized causing steam or other vapor to be produced and propelled by fan 262, through the same passages as described immediately above, for moisturizing the skin, scalp, and/or hair to be treated, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the powered steamer. The fan-only position and the motor-plus-vaporizer position of switch 254 each make the user of the device more pleasurable and efficient, as the user's particular skin and muscle conditions, for example, and personal preferences dictate.

Suitable materials for housing 222 include synthetic resins and other plastics and materials which are compatible with heat and moisture. Heating element 240 has been successfully used as a ceramic slice having dimensions of about 1.4 mm by 7 mm by 14 mm, and in which the ceramic slice extended above and loosely contacted the top free end of the wick by about 1 mm. It is likewise contemplated that the heating element be imbedded at various depths in the wick depending on the desired heat transfer and steam generation rates.

Figures 12A and 12B illustrate a still further preferred embodiment of a facial pad attachment 450. A smooth or rough fibrous pad 454, depending on the intended us, is crimped such as at location 458 in order that pad 454 conform to an outer surface 460 of facial pad attachment 450. One or more hook elements 462 are provided on outer surface 460 for retaining pad 454 in a desired position during use. Preferably, hook elements 462 are conventional hook elements such as found in commercially available hook-and-loop type fasteners, such as VELCRO™. A plurality of vents 466 provides for steam or air propelled by steamer device 220 to be driven through pad 454 for contacting the user's skin and to thereby enhance the operation of facial attachment 450. A female coupling 472 is configured for being releasably attachable to driven shaft 273 of steamer device 220. In use, steamer device 220 will typically be put in its driven, steam generating mode, for moistening the user's face to open the pores and to improve the operation of pad 454. If preferred, the user can move multi-position switch 254 into its fan-only position, for example, in the situation where a user desires to buff his or her face without the addition of steam.

Figures 13-16 illustrate additional embodiments of attachments according to the invention.

An adapter body 400 for attaching various ones of attachments is shown in the lower portion of Fig. 14 and includes a lower section 404 and an upper section 408 which are releasably attached together by use of a fastener 412. A release button 416 cooperates with an engaging element 418 for holding attachments in place. A biasing spring 420 forces release button 416 normally outwardly for engagement with a further attachment. Outer mating elements 424 of a quick-release type locking fitting are configured for engagement with detents 271 of steamer device 220. A cold air flow facial attachment is shown in Figures 13 and 14, in which a full flow terminal section 480 is attached to upper section 408 as described regarding Figure 11 above. A cold pack 484 having a plurality of vent holes 486 is held by full flow terminal section 480. Preferably, cold pack 484 is removably attached to terminal section 480 for placement in a freezer or refrigerator compartment of a refrigeration device. In use, hand-held steamer 220 is set in its non- steaming, air only mode so that air blows through vent holes 486. Cold pack 484 chills the air which serves to chill the skin being treated to thereby close the pores, for example.

Figure 15 schematically illustrates a medication- impregnated pad 488 through which either steam-laden or non-steam-laden air will be forced when medication pad 488 is substituted for cold pack 484. Figure 16 shows a skin chiller-type cold pack attachment for directly contacting the surface of the body being treated. Free ends 490 of the attachment are similar to those of terminal section 480 of the embodiment of Figure 14, along with the addition of engaging tabs 494 for detachably retaining a cold pack 496. One or more vent holes 498 extend through cold pack 496 and direct chilled air to the skin.

A skin chiller cold pack 496 may be made of conventionally available phase change material (PCM) or other suitable materials which rapidly transfer heat. It is likewise contemplated that a discardable cold pack 296 be made in which two chemicals which undergo an endothermic reaction when mixed together are held in separate, adjacent compartments when cold pack 496 is not in use. When the skin is to be chilled, a seal between the two compartments containing the different compounds is broken, whereby the endothermic reaction is initiated. Such a cold pack would be similar to existing devices for quickly cooling injured body parts of athletes. Turning to Figures 17 and 18, a nail file attachment 502 is illustrated that includes an abrasive surface 506. A plurality of vent holes 510 fluidly communicate the exterior of nail file attachment 502 with air or steam- laden air provided by steamer device 220 when nail file attachment 502 is attached thereto.

An eye and nose area hydrator/massager attachment or facial steamer attachment 526 is shown on a reduced scale in Figures 19 and 20. Vent holes 528 are provided to direct steam and/or air from steamer device 220 into steam discharge/hydrator area 530 when facial steamer 526 is in use. A drive shaft 532 is configured to mate with coupling member 272 of steamer device 220, in a manner similar to the connection of respective drive shafts of the other disclosed attachments. In order to impart a vibrating or reciprocating motion to facial steamer 526, an eccentric 534 is disposed on drive shaft 532. The perimeter of facial steamer 526 is defined by a soft face-contacting wall 536 which defines hydrator area 530 and which, preferably, is made of a foam material selected for gently mating with the user's face. If desired, a pair of strap holes 540 for an unillustrated strap can be provided so that facial steamer 526, when securely attached to a user's face, can be operated with one or no hands, as well as to ensure that facial steamer

526 is in an appropriately firm contact with the face.

Figures 21-23 illustrate a callous remover attachment 550 including vent holes 554 defined through an abrasive surface 558. An insert 562, which may be made of a metal or hard plastic material, functions to grind down callouses and other body surfaces when in use. A female drive connection 556 is configured for mating with shaft 273 of steamer device 220. Callous remover 550 may be provided with transverse steam vent passages 570 and depending free walls 574 for even steam distribution and structural integrity.

Turning to Figures 24-26, a roller ball massager 580 is shown that includes vent holes 584 and captured massaging balls 588. An optional inner snap fitting 592 engagable with an outer snap fitting 596 can be used for detachably retaining a top ball retaining member 598 so that ball-retaining member 598 is easily removable for cleaning, as necessary. In use, roller ball massager 580 is operable with or without steam being discharged through vent holes 584 by the operation of steamer device 220 when roller ball massager 580 is in place thereon, as will be appreciated from the above description.

Figures 27-29 illustrate a "floppy finger" massager 600 having one or more vent holes 604 disposed between elongated floppy fingers 608. Appropriate hook-and-loop fasteners 612 are provided between a floppy finger array 614 and a base 616, so that base 616 can be used for retaining different massager finger arrays or entirely different sub-attachments, or, alternatively, so that floppy finger array 614 can be replaced.

The user will select between steam, air, or neither steam nor air, as the user's desires and purposes dictate, in the manner described above.

A further finger-type massager device is shown in Figures 30-31 which illustrate a powered finger massager 620 having a plurality of vapor holes 624 as well as a plurality of supplemental vapor holes 628 fluidly connected to vapor passages 630 which direct air and steam from steamer device 220 when powered finger massager 620 is in place. A plurality of driven fingers 632 function to massage the user's body as steam is being directed through supplemental vapor holes 628 and through vapor holes 624. A drive shaft 636 imparts motion to spur gears 640 for driving a respective inner finger 644. Preferably an exterior finger covering 648 is disposed on inner finger 644, inner finger 644 generally being of a more rigid, harder material than exterior finger covering 648.

Figures 32 and 33 show a vacuum attachment 650 including a conventional vacuum V and a suction cup 654 for receiving materials vacuumed from the user's face, for example.

A spritzer or sprayer attachment 680 is illustrated in Figures 34-35 and includes a water reservoir 682 and a water seal 684 for filling of reservoir 682. Vent holes 686 fluidly communicate the exterior of spritzer 680 with the steam or air supplied by steamer device 220 when spritzer 680 is in use. A nozzle 688 sprays water or other fluid from reservoir 682 when a pump P is actuated by driven female coupling 672. Accordingly, the user can apply both sprayed water and steam at the same time when using spritzer attachment 680.

Figures 36-38 illustrate attachments directed at improved dental hygiene.

A gum stimulator 700 is shown in Figure 36 that includes an adaptor 704 and an elongated steam passage 708. Paired notches 709 and 90° offset paired notches 710 allow varied connections of attachments at different angles. A pointed stimulator 712 has a steam outlet 716 at the free end thereof. For enhanced stimulation of the person's gums and mouth tissue, one or more transverse outlets 720 is provided along with one or more supplemental vapor outlets 724.

A steamer toothbrush 740 is shown in Figure 37. A plurality of conventional bristles 744 is arrayed in a desired manner. A first series of vapor outlets 748 direct steam in the direction of elongation of bristles 744. For stimulation of the gums and mouth, a plurality of transverse outlets 752 is provided for directing steam at parts of the mouth other than the teeth when in use. It is also desirable to provide one or more supplemental fluid (i.e., steam) outlets 756. A fluid passage 760 connects outlets 748, 752 and 756 with steamer device 220.

Figure 38 illustrates a prophy (prophylaxis) cup 780 including a receptacle 784 configured for retaining a dental treatment or cleaning paste. A plurality of primary vapor passages 788 is defined through the walls of receptacle 784. For enhanced gum and mouth stimulation, transverse vapor passages 792 and supplemental vapor passages 796 are likewise provided. Figure 39 is a perspective view of a coupling device 797 according to the invention. Coupling device 797 includes one or more protrusions 798 configured for mating with ones of notches 709 and 710 depending on the attachment to be used and the desired orientation. Paired extensions 799 are preferably constructed so as to be slightly resilient for ease of temporarily "locking" an attachment onto coupling device 797. As will be readily appreciated to a person having ordinary skill in the art, coupling device 797 can be disposed at the free end of hose 148 in place of compress 150 (Fig. 10) . Likewise, coupling device 797 can be substituted for an attachment head 1030 as will be described in greater detail with respect to Fig. 41 below.

Figure 40 shows a further preferred embodiment of a steaming device 800 having a handle 802 connected at a modular connection 804. The operation is substantially the same as the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 11. Handle 802 provides for steamer 800 to be used as a "whole body" massager, for example, where the user may easily massage the legs and the small of the back.

Figure 41 illustrates another one of the preferred embodiments of a steamer device 1000 according to the invention.

Steamer device 1000 includes a housing 1020 having an attachment head 1030 attached to an upper end thereof. A heating element 1040 heats and vaporizes a liquid supplied by a liquid reservoir 1050 defined in housing 1020. A battery or other power source 1060 energizes heating element 1040, as will be explained in detail below.

A recharging base 1070 functions to both store steamer device 1000 at rest and to recharge battery 1060. An electric cord 1080 extends from recharging base 1070 and is connectable to a conventional 115 volt AC electrical outlet, for example.

More particularly, steamer device 1000 includes a push-button 1100 connected to a rod 1102. A spring 1104, preferably encircling and retained by rod 1102, normally biases push-button 1100 outwardly. A valve 1106 regulates the discharge of a liquid from liquid reservoir 1050. Valve 1106 includes upper and lower sealing elements 1108, 1109, respectively, and an orifice 1110 defined in a wall 1112 of reservoir 1050. Sealing element 1109 blocks orifice 1110 when push-button 1100 and, hence, rod 1102, are in their normal, upwardly biased positions.

Heating element 1040, which is preferably configured with sloped upper walls 1042, is electrically connected to a thermostat 1120, which, in turn, is electrically connected to a male adaptor prong 1124 receivable in a female receptacle 1126. Upper walls 1042 are sloped for catching all drops of liquid which are released by valve 1106 from reservoir 1050. A conventional AC/DC convertor 1128 electrically connects female receptacle 1126 and AC electric cord 1080, for converting standard household alternating current to direct current of the appropriate voltage to recharge battery 1060, as will be readily understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

A refill cap 1132 is removably received in housing 1020 for adding liquid to reservoir 1050.

A conventional DC motor is provided in housing 1020 and is preferably powered by battery 1060. A driven shaft 1134 powered by DC motor 1130 rotates an offset weight or eccentric 1136. Eccentric 1136 induces vibrations which vibrate housing 1020 and, hence, head 1030, thereby enhancing the effect.

Preferably, heating element 1040 is heated up by supplying electricity directly from standard 115V household current through male adaptor prong 1124 and thermostat 1120.

Alternatively, both motor 1130 and heating element 1040 are powered by battery 1060. A vapor passage 1140 directs vapor or steam S produced by heating element 1040. The steam exits housing 1020 along vapor passage 1140 and through outlet 1144 defined in attachment head 1030.

A first baffle 1149 cooperates with a second baffle 1150 for deflecting steam flow and for preventing inserting of objects into vapor passage 1140 and into contact with heating element 1040, for example.

Preferably, an elongated neck 1180 is provided on housing 1020 so that the effective length of steamer is increased.

FIG. 42A is a partial view of FIG. 41, on an enlarged scale, showing details of valve 1106.

FIG. 42B is a view similar to FIG. 42A, showing a still further preferred embodiment of a valve 1170 according to the invention. Valve 1170 includes a spring-loaded, movable rod 1172 having a first, elongated, semi-circular actuating element or actuator 1174 disposed substantially lengthwise thereon. A second elongated actuator element 1176 is disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from first actuator element 1174, and is preferably somewhat longer than first element 1174. A third, elongated actuating element 1178 is likewise disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from elongated elements 1174 and 1176, and is longer than each of those two elements.

An O-ring 1182 surrounds rod 1172 and prevents the discharge of liquid from liquid reservoir 1050 when in its normally closed position.

FIGS. 42C-42E, schematically show how the O-ring is distorted at one or more places, depending on how many of actuating elements 1174, 1176, and 1178 are contacting O- ring 1182, when rod 1172 is pushed downwardly during use.

Specifically, FIG. 42C schematically shows the configuration of O-ring 1182 when rod 1172 has been moved partially downwardly and only the lower portion of third element 1178 contacts the inner wall of O-ring 1182. A deflected area 1181, caused by contact of element 1178 with O-ring 1182 defines elongated passages 1182 and 1183 directly adjacent thereto and through which a liquid passes. As will readily apparent, it is liquid from reservoir 1050, when steamer device 1000 is in use in its upright position which will pass through passages 1182 and 1183 for contacting heating element 1040.

FIG. 42D schematically illustrates the deformation of o-ring 1182 when rod 1172 has been pushed further downwardly, than as shown in FIG. 42C, and both second element 1176 and third element 1178 contact respective inside wall portions of O-ring 1182. Second element 1186 causes a portion of O-ring 1182 to deflect and define a deflected portion 1185 and adjacent passages 1186 and 1187 through which a liquid passes, in a manner analogous to the deflection of O-ring 1182 illustrated in FIG. 42C. Third element 1178 still contacts O-ring 1182. Accordingly, more liquid will be allowed to pass from reservoir 1050 through passages 1182, 1183, 1185 and 1186, than in the case where passages 1182 and 1183 are the two openings through which fluid passes (see FIG. 42C) .

FIG. 42E schematically shows the manner in which all three elements 1174, 1176 and 1178 are deflecting O-ring 1182 simultaneously, in the case where rod 1172 is in its furthest, downward position, whereby fluid passes through passages defined adjacent deflected portion 1189, and designated 1190 and 1191 respectively.

It is noted that the spacing of the deflected portions 1181, 1185, and 1189 is shown as being about 120° which is a suitable spacing. It is contemplated that different spacings depending on the desired flow rates and size of the actuating element.

The hand-held portable steamer device 1000 of FIGS. 41 and 42 is used as follows.

The user unscrews filler cap 1170 and pours the desired liquid into liquid reservoir 1050. After replacing filler cap 1170, steamer device 1000 is placed in recharging base 1070. In the case where heating element 1040 is powered directly from household current, the device is switched on and heating element 1040 is allowed to heat up sufficiently hot to vaporize a liquid released from liquid reservoir 1050. The adequate temperature can be indicated by an LED (light-emitting diode) , for example, or can be determined by the user simply depressing push-button 1100, thereby releasing a drop of liquid from liquid reservoir 1050, and checking to see if the liquid has been vaporized by heating element 1040, as will be clearly indicated by escaping steam or vapor S.

Once heating element 1040 is at the appropriate temperature for vaporization of liquid, the user removes steamer device 1000 from base 1070. Heating element 1040 will comprise a sufficiently large heat sink so that the required heat is maintained for the typical amount of time required to operate a particular attachment. If a large amount of time is required for treating a particular user, such as when the user desires to massage large areas of his or her body the user will replace steamer device 1000 in recharging base 1070, as required.

In the case where rechargeable battery 1060 provides power for one or both of heating element 1040 and motor

1130, the user simply withdraws steamer device 1000 from recharging base 1070 when the user wants to use an attachment. A multi-position switch allows the user to either select both steam and vibration, steam alone, or vibration alone. Vibration of housing 1020 is achieved by energizing DC motor 1130 whereby shaft 1134 rotates eccentric 1136 which induces the desired vibration.

The embodiment of FIGS. 41 and 42 is particularly suited for treating hard to reach parts of the body, such as the small of a woman's back, owing to its elongated neck 1180. Figures 43A-43D illustrate a preferred embodiment of a hair treatment or hair plucker attachment 1200 according to the invention. Hair plucker attachment 1200 includes a snap-on body 1204 which is configured to releasably engage the steamer device 220 of Fig. 11, in the same manner as the attachments described above. A plurality of steam holes 1206 is provided in body 1204 so that steam will be directed at the user's body during use, in a manner analogous to the application of steam in the above-described devices. A plurality of springs 1208 is disposed adjacent an outer free end 1210 for engaging hairs on a user's body to be treated. A slider 1212 is movably mounted on body 1204 and includes slider posts 1216 which move therewith.

A plurality of fixed posts 1220 is disposed on body 1204.

A cam 1228 drives a cam follower 1232 for thereby imparting a reciprocatory motion to slider 1212. A cam shaft 1236 attached to and extending from cam 1228 is configured for engaging a mating driven member for powering hair plucker attachment 1200, such as by being releasably coupled to drive shaft 273 of the steamer of Fig. 11. As will be readily appreciated, when cam shaft 1236 is rotated, the rotation of cam 1228 causes slider 1212 to reciprocate, whereby slider posts 1216 move back- and-forth relative to fixed posts 1220. Given that each one of springs 1208 has its respective free ends connected to ones of slider posts 1216 and fixed posts 1220, the reciprocatory movement causes springs 1208 to open and close. This opening and closing of springs 1208 causes springs 1208 to alternately grab and release hairs on the body of a user when hair plucker attachment 1200 is in use.

Accordingly, when in use, an elegantly simple solution to the problem of treating and removing hair from the user's body has been achieved. Namely, as cam shaft 1236 is being driven for opening and closing springs 1208, the user simply slides free end 1210 along the surface of the user's body, whereby hairs are grabbed and, owing to the movement of hair plucker attachment 1200 by the user, the hairs are removed during the phase in which springs 1208 are closed. When the associated steamer device is in its steam-on setting, the steam will serve to open the pores of the skin and make hair treatment and removal easier. If desired, the user may apply a topical pain killer, such as novocaine, in vaporized form by means of the steamer device, whereby the sensory nerves of the skin are deadened briefly for providing relatively painless hair removal. It is likewise contemplated that additional reciprocatory movements be imparted to the opening and closing springs, such as by a mechanical movement which opens some of the springs at the same time others of the springs are being closed. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a different slider and spring openings/closing mechanism be used so that after the springs have been closed, movement is imparted to the closed springs, so that the movement of the closed springs relative to the user's body causes a grasped hair to be removed, as opposed to the movement of the user's hand causing the removal of the unwanted hair, as described above relative to Figures 43A-43D.

FIGS. 44A-44D show an attachment which may be removably attached to the upper right part of housing 22 of the embodiments of the steamer device shown in FIGS. 1, (as well as those of FIGS. 11 and 40) . The attachment shown is a hair comb, such as an Afro pick. Comb 2160 includes a base 2162 and tines 2164 having lower steam or fluid passages 2166 and upper steam or fluid passages 2168, and terminating in a tip 2170. Main fluid passage 2174 fluidly connects an opening 2176 with lower steam passage 2166 and upper steam passage 2168. One or more projections 2178 are disposed on base 2162 and extend into opening 2176. Projections 2178 are detachably attached with respective ones of detents 71 of the hand¬ held steamer devices of FIGS. 1 and detents 271 of the device of FIG. 11, for example. When comb 2160 is attached to steamer device 20, opening 2176 is fluidly connected to the interior of housing 22 by which a vaporized liquid or moisturized air 291 (FIG. 11) will be provided to comb 2160, and hence, the user's hair, as will be readily understood.

FIG. 44C is a side elevational view of comb 2160 of FIG. 44A.

FIG. 44D is an enlarged partial sectional view of FIG. 44C showing a preferred embodiment of the configuration of lower steam passage 2166, upper steam passage 2168, and main fluid passage 2174. It is preferred that steam passages 2166 and 2168 are spaced from tips 2170, so that steam is preferentially applied to the hair of the user and not to the scalp of the user, when comb 2160 is being used to moisturize the hair.

When comb 2160 of Figures 44A-44D is to be used, projections 2178 are engaged with detents 271 of the steamer device of the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 11 or 40, as will be readily apparent. Either forced ambient air or vaporized liquid can be exhausted through lower and upper fluid passages 2166 and 2168, as will be determined by the user's needs. The positions and respective functions of switch 254 for causing the desired fluid flow are described above and below. FIGS. 45A-45C show additional attachments for use with the portable hand-held steamers of FIGS. 1, 11 and 40, and are collectively referred to as inhalers.

FIG. 45A shows a nasal inhaler 2200 which includes a base 2202, a steam passage 2204, and an upper portion 2206 configured for mating with the user's face and covering the user's nose for supplying steam thereto. As will be appreciated, base 2202 of nasal inhaler 2200 is detachably attachable to steamer device 220 in the same location as and in a manner similar to the attachment of facial pad attachment 450, yet inwardly extending protrusions (not visible in the drawings) engage with detents 271 of housing 220, as will be readily appreciated, the attachment being similar to the attachment of the Afro pick of FIGS. 44A-44D.

FIG. 45B illustrates an oral inhaler 2210 having a base 2212 and a steam passage 2214. Oral inhaler 2210 further includes an upper portion 2216 configured for being received in the user's mouth for supplying steam thereto. Oral inhaler 2210 is detachably attached to steamer device 220 in a manner similar to the attachment of nasal inhaler 2200 of FIG. 45A. FIG. 45C shows a facial inhaler 2220 having a base 2222, a steam passage 2224, and an upper portion 2226 configured to cover at least the mouth and nose of the user. As will be readily appreciated, the size of upper portion 2226 of facial inhaler 2220 can be varied so as to cover the entire front portion of a user's face. Facial inhaler 2220 is removably attached to steamer device 220 in a manner similar to the attachment of nasal inhaler 2200.

When the facial inhalers of FIGS. 45A-45C are to be used, facial attachment 450 is detached from steamer device 220, and the mating extensions on the respective bases are engaged with detent 271 of housing 222. For example, base 2202 of nasal inhaler 2200 is attached to the upper right of housing 222 (FIG. al) . When steamer device 220 is switched on by multi-position switch 254 to its motor-plus-vaporizer position, steam is blown through steam passage 2204. Should the user wish to have only forced ambient air applied to the body part to be treated, then slide element 256 is moved to the position in which only the motor is driven. Thus, fan 262 is driven for applying air to the skin surface to be treated, while heating element 240 remains de-energized.

It has been found that the application of steam generated from water containing a small percentage of medications or aftershave lotions results in the compounds, such as an aftershave, being accepted into the steamed open pores. Thus, as long as 6-10 hours later the aftershave has been released from the pores at a rate sufficient to be appreciated by another person (i.e., smelled by one near to the user) . Accordingly, the use of vaporized, diluted scent in the form of steam has resulted in enhanced effect of slow release of the scent over time, while a lesser amount of scent than normally required has been used.

Xylene compounds may be successfully used as they are good carriers for delivery of other compounds. Steam has been generated at the rate of 10 cc per 15 minutes with the steamer device of Figure 11 being used with the buffing pad attachment of Figure 12.

The material of the wick may include felt, and, preferably, a polyamide structural insulation such as Pyropel MD-18, as described above. The wick may be of any material which will withstand the maximum temperature of the heating element. An appropriate PCT thermistor has its maximum temperature in the range of about 120- 180°C. The material of the wick should be hydrophilic, have suitable wicking action to pull the fluid upwardly sufficiently high and quickly enough to at least match the evaporation rate of the vaporization taking place in the vicinity of the heating element; while at the same time, maintaining a sufficiently high flow resistance, in part owing to its "wetting angle" to prevent "flooding" in case the entire steamer device is held upside down during use.

The wick may likewise be made of porous metals or ceramics, and given the inherent heat limitations of the PCT thermistor, cotton wicks are also possible. The polyamide wicks described above are one of the preferred materials because the polyamide available in the form of PYROPEL® is mechanically stable, even after soaking, is easily cut or formed, and has a void/solid ratio in a desired range.

It is also contemplated that a second, auxiliary wick be provided for the release of aromatics. Each of the above described attachments rotates, vibrates, reciprocates, or is stationary as the particular situation demands.

The spritzer attachment will be used with warm or cool water in its liquid reservoir. In addition, it is expected that medication be placed in the liquid reservoir as required.

The prophy cup will generally be used as a vibrating (reciprocating) component, although it is expected that for particular applications it will be used as a rotating or stationary member.

Steam generation rates of as much as 15 cc/minute or greater are expected.

The buffing pad will be made of material which is rough, when dry, and which softens when steam passes therethrough; the physical integrity of the buffing pad is maintained, even after having been thoroughly saturated with steam, for achieving the desired gentle, exfoliating action thereof. It is likewise contemplated underarm deodorant will be applied by use of the steamer and/or spritzer attachment or a roller ball. The application of deodorant in this manner will result in long term release owing to the opening of pores in the skin during the deodorant application process. The application of deodorant in this manner eliminates the need for environmentally unsafe hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) carriers.

This natural application of deodorant also results in better disbursement of the active ingredients. It is expected that the fan for driving the steam may be eliminated, when an appropriately sized heating element is used along with sufficiently spaced apart skin contacting attachments so that a user is not inadvertently burned by steam. It is further contemplated that air flow may be induced by the use of a diaphragm pump, for example, having appropriately sized air inlets so that the proper mixing of steam and air is achieved.

Suitable voltage ranges for a DC power supply to power the motor and the heating element have been in the range of 15-25 volts. The appropriate electrical connections will be readily understood to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The use of a heating element which is a PTC thermistor is explained more fully in "The PTC Thermistor as Heating Element", Siemens Components XVI (1981) . No. 2, pp. 56-59, by Gϋnter Ott, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In order to maximize the benefits of PTC thermistor controlled heating in conjunction with the lowest possible Watt input, one must minimize the "heat resistance" of the electrical insulation around the heating element. The steamer device will operate preferably at a low voltage, yet it is beneficial to electrically insulate the electrical connections to the heating element in order to prevent any galvanic action in the aqueous/high humidity environment. This is of particular importance with ceramic type elements requiring metallization on opposite planes to make electrical contact, such metallization will rapidly degrade if exposed to galvanic action.

One way of avoiding galvanic action is to use the heater "sandwich" described above. The central conductor can be a copper foil bonded to the metallized surfaces (one each per element) of the ceramic heating elements either by appropriate soldering, or by using a suitable high temperature conductive adhesive, e.g. , silver filled epoxy.

Another way to use PTC heating elements to achieve "surface boiling" of water at the surface of the hydrophilic wick is to use a singular ceramic element, e.g., Siemens Q63100-P430-R800 and coat, after connecting the electrical leads, the entire heating element with a thermally conductive, electrically insulating substance. In order to minimize the heat "gradient" between the PTC element per se and the surrounding water (i.e., the heat load) , such a coating should be as thin as possible and be of high thermal conductivity, e.g., Emerson & Cuming Eccocoat 582. It is also possible to electrically bond highly heat conductive ceramic plates, each having one side metallized, to the heating element such that the (inside) metallization of the outer plates provides for electrical connections to the heating element, while the outsides provide electrical insulation, yet provide high heat conductance to the surrounding water.

Yet another way to achieve the desired heating is to silk screen or print an electrical conductor with suitable PTC characteristics on an electrically insulating yet thermally conductive ceramic substrate and bond a second (plain) electrically insulating, but thermally conductive plate (e.g., ceramic) on the "printed" side of the first ceramic plate.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which to invention pertains and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A steamer device for treating skin surfaces, comprising: a) a unitary housing having a configuration which permits it to be held in the hand of the user; b) steam generating means disposed within the housing for producing a continuous supply of steam; c) a porous soft fabric-type skin contacting element for lightly engaging the skin and which permits steam to pass therethrough; and d) powered movable support means disposed within the housing adjacent the steam generating means for supporting the porous skin contacting element and which moves relative to the housing to thereby provide a continuous moving skin contacting surface, and through which steam is directed toward and through the skin contacting element.

2. A steamer device as defined in claim 1, wherein: a) a fastener is provided on said housing for releasably attaching said porous skin contacting element.

3. A steamer device as defined in claim 1, wherein: a) a perforated member is detachably attached to said powered movable support means and is disposed between said porous skin contacting element and said housing.

4. A hand held, portable steamer device for treating the human body, comprising: a) a housing; b) a modular steam generator disposed in said housing for converting a liquid to a vapor and for supplying vapor to a body part to be treated; c) a modular liquid reservoir disposed in said housing for holding a liquid; d) said modular liquid reservoir is detachably attached to said modular steam generator; e) said modular steam generator includes a heating element; and f) a wick disposed in said modular steam generator for supplying liquid from said modular liquid reservoir to said heating element.

5. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 4, wherein: a) an attachment for treating a part of the human body is provided on said housing; and b) a fluid passage is defined in said attachment for directing steam from said steam generator to a body part to be treated.

6. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 5, wherein: a) said attachment comprises a toothbrush configured for supplying steam to a person's mouth and including bristles for brushing a person's teeth.

7. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 5, wherein: a) said attachment comprises a gum stimulator configured for supplying steam to a person's mouth and including an extension configured for stimulating a person's gums.

8. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 5, wherein: a) said attachment comprises a prophy cup configured for supplying steam to a person's mouth and including a receptacle configured for holding a dental abrasive.

9. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 5, wherein: a) a motor having a drive shaft is provided for driving said attachment; b) said attachment is detachably attached to said drive shaft; and c) said attachment comprises a powered massager for massaging the skin.

10. The hand-held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 9, wherein: a) said powered massager includes a plurality of rotatably captured balls and a vapor passage defined adjacent said captured balls.

11. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 9, wherein: a) said attachment includes a facial vacuum cleaner including a vacuum for removing substances from the skin.

12. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 9, wherein: a) said attachment comprises a spritzer including a pump for spraying a liquid onto the skin; b) a liquid holding tank is provided on said spritzer for supplying a liquid to said pump.

13. The hand-held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 10, wherein: a) said massager includes a plurality of elongated fingers and means for defining a vapor passage and an external opening adjacent one of said elongated fingers for causing a vaporized liquid to be directed at a body part to be treated.

14. The hand-held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 5, wherein: a) said attachment comprises a file for abrading a body part to be treated; and b) a vapor passage is defined in said file for causing a vaporized liquid to be directed at a body part to be treated.

15. The hand-held, portable steamer as defined in Claim 5, wherein: a) said attachment comprises a porous, fibrous, skin contacting pad, said fibrous pad being sufficiently porous for causing a vaporized liquid to pass therethrough.

16. A hand held, portable steamer device for treating the human body, comprising: a) a housing; b) a steam generating means disposed in said housing for supplying steam to a body part to be treated; c) said steam generating means including a motorized fan means; d) a modular liquid reservoir disposed in said housing for supplying a liquid to said steam generating means; and e) said modular liquid reservoir is detachably attached to said housing.

17. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 16, wherein: a) an attachment for treating a part of the human body is provided on said housing; and b) a fluid passage is defined in said attachment for directing steam from said steam generator to a body part to be treated.

18. The hand-held, portable steamer as defined in Claim 17, wherein: a) said attachment comprises a porous, fibrous, skin contacting pad, said fibrous pad being sufficiently porous for causing a vaporized liquid to pass therethrough.

19. The hand-held, portable steamer as defined in Claim 17, wherein; a) said attachment comprises a cold pad housing for detachably attaching a cold-pack.

20. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 19, wherein: a) a multi-position switch means is connected to said motorized fan means and to said steam generating means for switching between an off position in which said motorized fan means and said steam generating means are off, a fan-only position in which said motorized fan means is on and said steam generating means is off, and a motor-plus-vaporizer position in which said motorized fan means is on and said steam generating means is on.

21. The hand-held portable, steamer device as defined in claim 16, wherein: a) an attachment for treating human hair is provided on said housing; and b) a fluid passage is defined in said attachment for directing steam from said steam generator to a body part to be treated.

22. A method of applying deodorant by use of a steamer device, comprising the steps of: a) applying sufficient steam to a person's skin so that the person's pores will open up sufficiently to receive deodorant compounds; and b) applying a deodorant in a sufficiently volatilized form so that the volatilized deodorant can be received in the pores of a user's skin.

23. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 4, wherein: a) an oral inhaler configured for supplying steam to a person's mouth is detachably attached to said housing.

24. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 4, wherein: a) a nasal inhaler configured for supplying steam to a person's nose is detachably attached to said housing.

25. The hand held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 4, wherein: a) a facial inhaler configured for supplying steam to a person's face is detachably attached to said housing.

26. The hand-held, portable steamer device as defined in Claim 4, wherein: a) a comb is detachably attached to said housing; and b) said comb includes a plurality of teeth and means for defining a vapor passage and an external opening in one of said teeth for causing a vaporized liquid to be directed at hair to be treated.