Body mitt and apparatus for molding the same

Abstract

A body mitt has top and bottom surfaces adapted for skin care applications, a cuff portion, and two oppositely disposed lateral thumb openings defined between the top and bottom surfaces proximate to the cuff portion. The body mitt also has an interior pocket integrally formed on the inside of its top or bottom surface and adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use. The top and bottom surfaces, the cuff portion, the thumb openings, and the interior pocket are integrally molded via an appropriately configured injection molding apparatus.

1 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface;    a bottom skin care surface;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces;    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion; and    at least one interior pocket integrally formed on the inside of said top skin care surface and adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use.    
   
   
       2 . The body mitt of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lateral thumb opening includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       3 . The body mitt of  claim 2 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said top and bottom skin care surfaces.  
   
   
       4 . The body mitt of  claim 3 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening which feels soft to the touch.  
   
   
       5 . The body mitt of  claim 4 , wherein said cuff portion includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       6 . The body mitt of  claim 5 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said cuff portion.  
   
   
       7 . The body mitt of  claim 6 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening which feels soft to the touch.  
   
   
       8 . The body mitt of  claim 7 , wherein said top surface includes a plurality of substantially long and thin bristles adapted to provide brush-like appearance.  
   
   
       9 . The body mitt of  claim 8 , wherein said bottom surface includes a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use.  
   
   
       10 . The body mitt of  claim 9 , wherein the portable vibrator is held snugly by the walls of said at least one integral interior pocket via frictional fit.  
   
   
       11 . The body mitt of  claim 10 , wherein said frictional fit prevents the portable vibrator from slipping out of said at least one integral interior pocket during use.  
   
   
       12 . The body mitt of  claim 11 , wherein the thickness of the walls of said at least one integral interior pocket is configured for effective transmission of vibration.  
   
   
       13 . The body mitt of  claim 12 , wherein said top and bottom skin care surfaces, said cuff portion, said at least one lateral thumb opening, and said at least one integral interior pocket are molded from elastomeric material.  
   
   
       14 . The body mitt of  claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric material includes vinyl.  
   
   
       15 . The body mitt of  claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric material includes stretchy silicone.  
   
   
       16 . The body mitt of  claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric material includes synthetic rubber.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for molding a body mitt, comprising: 
 a top portion;    a bottom portion, said top and bottom portions configured respectively to mold integrally a pair of oppositely disposed body mitt thumb openings, a body mitt cuff portion, and two body mitt skin care surfaces; and    a middle insert operatively sandwiched between said top and bottom portions and adapted to mold integrally at least one interior pocket on the inside of at least one of said two skin care surfaces, wherein said at least one interior pocket is adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use.    
   
   
       18 . The molding apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said middle insert is made of two overlapping portions adapted to accommodate a plurality of cooling lines feeding at a terminal end thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The molding apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one interior pocket is adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use.  
   
   
       20 . The molding apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said middle insert includes a first section of a substantially rectangular configuration, and a second section of a substantially arcuate configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The molding apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said middle insert further includes an elongated depression disposed at the border of said first and second sections.  
   
   
       22 . The molding apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said elongated depression is adapted to form a substantially rounded thickening on the inside of a cuff portion outer edge of the body mitt for reinforcement purposes.  
   
   
       23 . The molding apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said second section of said middle insert includes at least one substantially half-circular depression.  
   
   
       24 . The molding apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said at least one half-circular depression is adapted to form a substantially rounded thickening on the inside of a thumb opening outer edge of the body mitt for reinforcement purposes.  
   
   
       25 . The molding apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said second section of said middle insert further includes an arch-like recessed portion.  
   
   
       26 . The molding apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a removable plate shaped substantially like said arch-like recessed portion.  
   
   
       27 . The molding apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said arch-like recessed portion and said removable plate are used in combination to mold integrally said at least one interior pocket.  
   
   
       28 . The molding apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein said removable plate is held in place over said arch-like recessed portion during molding via at least one magnet built into said arch-like recessed portion.  
   
   
       29 . The molding apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein each of said top and bottom portions is recessed at one end to accommodate said first section of said middle insert during injection molding.  
   
   
       30 . The molding apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said top portion is secured over said bottom portion via integral fasteners.  
   
   
       31 . The body mitt of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces is adapted for use in body massage.  
   
   
       32 . The body mitt of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces is adapted for use in body cleansing.  
   
   
       33 . The body mitt of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces is adapted for use in exfoliation scrub activities.  
   
   
       34 . The body mitt of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one integral interior pocket is adapted to lie substantially flat with the inside of said top skin care surface when not used as a containment structure for the portable vibrator.  
   
   
       35 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially long and thin bristles adapted to provide soft brush-like appearance;    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of proportionally arranged raised cells adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said raised cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion.    
   
   
       36 . The body mitt of  claim 35 , wherein said raised cells are made of intersecting and outwardly projecting cell walls, wherein outward projection is defined as pointing substantially away from said bottom skin care surface, said outwardly projecting cell walls acting as squeegees when said textured surface is used on the skin of the user.  
   
   
       37 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein said raised cells are arranged substantially in a diagonal pattern bounded on all sides by a continuous outwardly projecting terminal wall.  
   
   
       38 . The body mitt of  claim 35 , wherein said at least one lateral thumb opening includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       39 . The body mitt of  claim 38 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said top and bottom skin care surfaces.  
   
   
       40 . The body mitt of  claim 39 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       41 . The body mitt of  claim 35 , wherein said cuff portion includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       42 . The body mitt of  claim 41 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said cuff portion.  
   
   
       43 . The body mitt of  claim 42 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       44 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use;    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially diamond-shaped cells adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion.    
   
   
       45 . The body mitt of  claim 44 , wherein said substantially diamond-shaped cells are made of intersecting and outwardly projecting cell walls, wherein outward projection is defined as pointing substantially away from said bottom skin care surface, said outwardly projecting cell walls acting as squeegees when said textured surface is used on the skin of the user.  
   
   
       46 . The body mitt of  claim 45 , wherein said cells are arranged in a substantially diagonal pattern bounded on all sides by a continuous outwardly projecting terminal wall.  
   
   
       47 . The body mitt of  claim 44 , wherein said at least one lateral thumb opening includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       48 . The body mitt of  claim 47 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said top and bottom skin care surfaces.  
   
   
       49 . The body mitt of  claim 48 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       50 . The body mitt of  claim 44 , wherein said cuff portion includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       51 . The body mitt of  claim 50 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said cuff portion.  
   
   
       52 . The body mitt of  claim 51 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       53 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use;    a bottom skin care surface provided with a zigzag-like texture configured for spreading liquid cleansing media over the skin of a user, said zigzag-like texture defining a plurality of channels adapted to enhance the flow of liquid cleansing media over the skin of the user;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion.    
   
   
       54 . The body mitt of  claim 53 , wherein said at least one lateral thumb opening includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       55 . The body mitt of  claim 54 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said top and bottom skin care surfaces.  
   
   
       56 . The body mitt of  claim 55 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       57 . The body mitt of  claim 53 , wherein said cuff portion includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       58 . The body mitt of  claim 57 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said cuff portion.  
   
   
       59 . The body mitt of  claim 58 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       60 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use;    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of raised cells arranged in a substantially rectangular pattern and adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said raised cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion.    
   
   
       61 . The body mitt of  claim 60 , wherein said rectangularly arranged cells are made of intersecting and outwardly projecting cell walls, wherein outward projection is defined as pointing substantially away from said bottom skin care surface, said outwardly projecting cell walls acting as squeegees when said textured surface is used on the skin of the user.  
   
   
       62 . The body mitt of  claim 61 , wherein said rectangularly arranged cells are bounded on all sides by a continuous outwardly projecting terminal wall.  
   
   
       63 . The body mitt of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one lateral thumb opening includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       64 . The body mitt of  claim 63 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said top and bottom skin care surfaces.  
   
   
       65 . The body mitt of  claim 64 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       66 . The body mitt of  claim 60 , wherein said cuff portion includes a reinforced outer edge.  
   
   
       67 . The body mitt of  claim 66 , wherein said outer edge is reinforced on the inside of said cuff portion.  
   
   
       68 . The body mitt of  claim 67 , wherein said inside reinforcement is provided in the form of a substantially rounded thickening that is soft to the touch.  
   
   
       69 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface;    a bottom skin care surface;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces;    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion; and    at least one interior pocket integrally formed on the inside of said bottom skin care surface and adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use.    
   
   
       70 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use;    a bottom skin care surface provided with a zigzag-like texture defining a plurality of channels adapted to enhance the spreading of abrasive exfoliation media over the skin of a user;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion.    
   
   
       71 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein said retained abrasive exfoliation media is prevented from rolling across the skin of the user by said cell walls during application, said cell walls causing interlocking of retained exfoliation media particles, said interlocked exfoliation media particles being dragged over the skin of the user to generate efficient abrasive action.  
   
   
       72 . The body mitt of  claim 45 , wherein said retained abrasive exfoliation media is prevented from rolling across the skin of the user by said cell walls during application, said cell walls causing interlocking of retained exfoliation media particles, said interlocked exfoliation media particles being dragged over the skin of the user to generate efficient abrasive action.  
   
   
       73 . The body mitt of  claim 61 , wherein said retained abrasive exfoliation media is prevented from rolling across the skin of the user by said cell walls during application, said cell walls causing interlocking of retained exfoliation media particles, said interlocked exfoliation media particles being dragged over the skin of the user to generate efficient abrasive action.  
   
   
       74 . The molding apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said top and bottom portions is configured on one side to form a textured body mitt surface in combination with said middle insert during injection molding.  
   
   
       75 . The molding apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein said texture configuration of said at least one of said top and bottom portions includes a plurality of solid block-like molding obstructions, each of said solid block-like molding obstructions having at least one pointed end.  
   
   
       76 . The molding apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein said pointed ends are oriented in the direction of molten molding compound flow to avoid air entrapment during injection molding.  
   
   
       77 . A body glove, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface;    a bottom skin care surface, at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces being adapted for use in body massage;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one interior pocket integrally formed on the inside of at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces and adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use.    
   
   
       78 . A body glove, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface;    a bottom skin care surface, at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces being adapted for use in body cleansing;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one interior pocket integrally formed on the inside of at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces and adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use.    
   
   
       79 . A body glove, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface;    a bottom skin care surface, at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces being adapted for use in exfoliation scrub activities;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one interior pocket integrally formed on the inside of at least one of said top and bottom skin care surfaces and adapted to securely hold a portable vibrator during use.    
   
   
       80 . A body glove, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially long and thin bristles adapted to provide soft brush-like appearance;    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of proportionally arranged raised cells adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said raised cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user; and    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces.    
   
   
       81 . A body glove, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use;    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially diamond-shaped cells adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user; and    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces.    
   
   
       82 . A body glove, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use;    a bottom skin care surface provided with a zigzag-like texture configured for spreading liquid cleansing media over the skin of a user, said zigzag-like texture defining a plurality of channels adapted to enhance the flow of liquid cleansing media over the skin of the user; and    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces.    
   
   
       83 . A body glove, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use;    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of raised cells arranged in a substantially rectangular pattern and adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said raised cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user; and    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces.    
   
   
       84 . A finger cot, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially long and thin bristles adapted to provide soft brush-like appearance; and    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of proportionally arranged raised cells adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said raised cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user.    
   
   
       85 . A finger cot, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use; and    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially diamond-shaped cells adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user.    
   
   
       86 . A finger cot, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use; and    a bottom skin care surface provided with a zigzag-like texture configured for spreading liquid cleansing media over the skin of a user, said zigzag-like texture defining a plurality of channels adapted to enhance the flow of liquid cleansing media over the skin of the user.    
   
   
       87 . A finger cot, comprising: 
 a top skin care surface populated with a plurality of substantially short bristles adapted to provide enhanced stimulation during use; and    a bottom skin care surface populated with a plurality of raised cells arranged in a substantially rectangular pattern and adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said raised cells having a substantially open-box configuration configured to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user.    
   
   
       88 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein said abrasive exfoliation media clings into said cells turning said textured bottom surface into a flexible abrasive surface that conforms to the contours of the body of the user, said flexible abrasive surface being substantially non-clogging.  
   
   
       89 . The body mitt of  claim 88 , wherein said flexible abrasive surface distributes pressure exerted by the hand of the user over a great number of abrasive exfoliation media particles to decrease gouging with a substantially uniform removal of dead skin.  
   
   
       90 . The body mitt of  claim 89 , wherein said flexible abrasive surface enables the user to exercise aggressive stroking without gouging to effect a substantially quick and efficient dead skin removal.  
   
   
       91 . The body mitt of  claim 90 , wherein said flexible abrasive surface is adapted to extend the useful life of retained abrasive exfoliation media.  
   
   
       92 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein each of said top and bottom skin care surfaces is adapted to protect the hand of the user from abrasion by exfoliation media.  
   
   
       93 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein said outwardly projecting cells walls define a matrix of flexible squeegees, said flexible squeegees conforming to the contours of the body of the user to facilitate a substantially uniform spreading of a thin layer of lotion, massage oil, and shower gel.  
   
   
       94 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein the outermost edges of said outwardly projecting cells walls are substantially flat.  
   
   
       95 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein the outermost edges of said outwardly projecting cells walls are substantially rounded.  
   
   
       96 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein the outermost edges of said outwardly projecting cells walls are substantially knife-edged.  
   
   
       97 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein the outermost edges of said outwardly projecting cells walls are substantially serrated.  
   
   
       98 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein the outermost edges of said outwardly projecting cells walls are configured to control the amount of fluid being left behind in said raised cells.  
   
   
       99 . The body mitt of  claim 36 , wherein said open-box cells are adapted to act as reservoirs, said reservoirs supplying fluid to the skin of the user as said textured bottom surface is stroked over the skin of the user.  
   
   
       100 . The body mitt of  claim 99 , wherein said reservoirs are adapted to deform and collapse when said textured bottom surface is pressed against the skin of the user, said deformed and collapsed reservoirs causing fluid contained in said open-box cells to move toward the outer edges of said cells and to be spread by the edges of said squeegees.  
   
   
       101 . The body mitt of  claim 100 , wherein said reservoirs are progressively emptied by increasing the amount of pressure needed to collapse said cells.  
   
   
       102 . The body mitt of  claim 70 , wherein said abrasive exfoliation media is prevented from rolling across the skin of the user by a plurality of zigzag walls of said channels during application, said channel walls causing interlocking of exfoliation media particles, said interlocked exfoliation media particles being dragged over the skin of the user to generate efficient abrasive action.  
   
   
       103 . The body mitt of  claim 102 , wherein said abrasive exfoliation media clings into said channels and turn said textured bottom surface into a flexible abrasive surface that conforms to the contours of the body of the user, said flexible abrasive surface being substantially non-clogging.  
   
   
       104 . The body mitt of  claim 103 , wherein said flexible abrasive surface distributes pressure exerted by the hand of the user over a great number of abrasive exfoliation media particles to decrease gouging with a substantially uniform removal of dead skin.  
   
   
       105 . The body mitt of  claim 104 , wherein said flexible abrasive surface enables the user to exercise aggressive stroking without gouging to effect a substantially quick and efficient dead skin removal.  
   
   
       106 . The body mitt of  claim 105 , wherein said flexible abrasive surface is adapted to extend the useful life of abrasive exfoliation media.  
   
   
       107 . The body mitt of  claim 106 , wherein each of said top and bottom skin care surfaces is adapted to protect the hand of the user from abrasion by exfoliation media.  
   
   
       108 . A body mitt, comprising: 
 a first surface;    a second surface disposed substantially opposite said first surface, at least one of said first and second surfaces having a plurality of raised cells adapted to provide the appearance of a textured surface, each of said raised cells adapted to retain abrasive exfoliation media when said textured surface is used on the skin of a user;    a cuff portion extending away from said top and bottom skin care surfaces; and    at least one lateral thumb opening defined between said top and bottom skin care surfaces proximate to said cuff portion.    
   
   
       109 . The body mitt of  claim 108 , wherein said retained abrasive exfoliation media is prevented from rolling across the skin of the user by the walls of said raised cells during application, said cell walls causing interlocking of retained exfoliation media particles, said interlocked exfoliation media particles being dragged over the skin of the user to generate efficient abrasive action.  
   
   
       110 . The body mitt of  claim 108 , wherein said first surface is a plain surface.  
   
   
       111 . The body mitt of  claim 108 , wherein said second surface is a plain surface.