Coating apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for applying a composition to the skin, the apparatus including a chamber, the chamber including means for washing the skin ( 10 ), and means for applying the composition ( 4 ). Applicants have recognized that incorporating means for washing the skin into a chamber designed for applying a composition to the skin provides a number of advantages such as removal of foreign matter from the skin, and also removal of a proportion of the stratum corneum immediately prior to the removal of a composition such as an artificial tanning agent. Removal of dead skin cells and other contaminants from the skin immediately before the application of a composition improves the reproducibility of the absorption of the active ingredient in the composition.

1 . An apparatus for applying a composition to the skin of a user, the apparatus including a chamber, means for washing the skin, and means for applying a composition.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for washing the skin and the means for applying a composition are separate.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for washing the skin is a device capable of delivering water in the form of a jet or a spray to the skin of a user.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the device is capable of directing water toward a central region of the chamber.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the device is capable of delivering water at a direction or pressure such that the walls of the chamber are not exposed to a large amount of water.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the device includes a number of longitudinally disposed jets or sprays that act to direct water to the head and/or torso and/or leg region of the user.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the device is a domestic shower head or substantially similar device.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for washing the skin is capable of at least partially removing a material selected from the group including a moisturiser, a cosmetic, a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a fragrance, pollution, an oil, a salt, a dead skin cell, and a bacteria from the skin of the user.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including means for generating steam or hot atomized water.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for applying a composition relies at least in part on atomisation of the composition.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the atomisation is achieved or assisted by a process selected from the group including air atomisation, siphon feed, gravity feed, pressure feed, internal atomisation, external atomisation, low pressure low volume atomisation, high volume low pressure atomisation, airless atomisation, pressurizing the composition through a small orifice, air-assisted atomisation, air-assisted heated atomisation, electrostatic atomisation, the use of charged particles of composition, the use of heated charged particles of composition, high speed rotational atomisation, and ultrasonic atomisation.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for applying a composition includes a reservoir for containing a composition, a pump, and a nozzle, wherein the reservoir, pump and nozzle are connected such that in operation the composition is deposited onto the skin of a user.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for applying a composition is achieved by a process selected from the group including vaporization, misting and nebulization.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for applying a composition moves relative to the user during application.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a rotating platform, wherein in use the user is moved relative to the means for applying a composition by means of the rotating platform.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including an auxiliary reservoir capable of dispensing moisturisers, aromas, and disinfectants.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the chamber includes means for removing effluent from the chamber.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the means for removing effluent is a drain hole.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the chamber is a shower recess commonly used in domestic bathrooms.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the chamber is completely enclosed.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including means for evaporating moisture from the surface of the user.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the means for evaporating moisture from the surface of the user is a fan capable of exhausting humid air from the chamber leading to the ingress of drier air.  
     
     
         23 . A kit for retrofitting an existing shower recess thereby converting it to an apparatus according to  claim 1 , the kit including means for applying a composition.  
     
     
         24 . A kit for retrofitting an existing spray tan chamber thereby converting it to an apparatus according to  claim 1 , the kit including means for washing the skin of a user.  
     
     
         25 . A substantially self-contained unit adapted to be connected to the existing plumbing in a shower recess, thereby converting the shower recess into an apparatus according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         26 . A unit according to  claim 25  having dimensions of about 1300 mm high ×275 mm wide and about 130 mm deep.  
     
     
         27 . A unit according to  claim 25  including an atomizing nozzle capable of applying a composition to the skin of a user and/or a spray jet capable of washing the skin of a user.  
     
     
         28 . A unit according to  claim 1  including a foot rest so that the user is capable of applying an agent onto the leg without excessive bending on the part of the user.  
     
     
         29 . A method of coating the skin with a composition, the method including the use of an apparatus according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29  including the steps of entering the chamber, washing the skin using the means for washing the skin, and applying the composition to the skin using the means for applying the composition.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein the washing step includes the use of an exfoliant.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 29  including exposing the skin of the user to steam.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 32  wherein the step of exposing the skin of the user to steam occurs after the washing step.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 29  including the application of a moisturizer to the skin of the user.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the composition is selected from a group consisting of a self-tanning formulation, a sunscreen, a suntan lotion, a tanning accelerator, a sunburn treatment, an insect repellent, a skin toner, a skin bleach, a skin lightener, an anti-microbial composition, a moisturizer, an exfoliant, a nutriment or vitamin, a massage aide, a muscle relaxant, a skin treatment agent, a burn treatment agent, a decontamination agent, cosmetics, a wrinkle treatment or remover, a scent and an aroma.  
     
     
         36 . A method of coating the skin with a composition, the method including the use of a kit according to  claim 23 .  
     
     
         37 . A method of coating the skin with a composition, the method including the use of a unit according to  claim 25.