Case 1:13-cv-07931-TPG Document 1

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.J

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK SOFTLINES INTERNATIONAL, LLC AND EMJOI, INC., Plaintiffs,
V.

Civil Action No.

IVOG, LLC, BEAUTYKO USA, INC. and ABC CORP., Defendants.

Plaintiffs, Soft Lines International, LLC and Ernjoi, Inc. as and against Defendants herein allege as follows: PARTIES 1. Plaintiff, Soft Lines International, LLC is a limited liability company having a

principal place of business at 2208 Metropolis Tower, 10 Metropolis Drive Hung Horn, Kowloon Hong Kong. 2. Plaintiff, Emjoi, Inc., is a New York corporation having a principal place of

business at 150 East 52nd Street, New York NY 10022 and is the exclusive licensee of Plaintiff Soft Lines International with respect to the patent rights at issue herein. 3. Upon information and belief, defendant Ivog LLC (Ivog) is aNew York limited

liability company having offices at 244 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10001. 4. Upon information and beliefi defendant Beautyko USA, Inc. (Beautyko) is a

New York corporation having offices at 57 Watermill Lane, Great Neck, New York 11021.

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5.

Upon information and belief, Defendant ABC Corp is a fictitious entity that

supplies identical products to Ivog and Beautyko) JURISDICTION AND VENUE 6. This action arises under the patent laws of the United States, Title 35 of the

United States Code. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1338(a). 7. under CPLR

1331 and

On information and belief, this Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants

301 because defendants are domiciled in the State of New York and conduct 302 because this action arises, in whole or

substantial business in this forum and under CPLR

in part, from defendants transaction oft business within the State of New York and their commission of tortious acts within the State of New York. 8. Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. S 1391 and 1400(b). On

information and belief Defendants have transacted business in this district, and has committed and/or induced acts of patent infringement in this district. COUNT I INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,551,117 9. Plaintiff Soft Lines is the owner by assignment of United States Patent No.

8,551,117 (the 117 Patent) entitled Handheld Exfoliating Device, a copy of which is annexed hereto as Exhibit A. 10. Upon information and belief, Defendants are now each infringing the 117 Patent

by, among other things, directly or through intermediaries, making, using, importing, providing, supplying, distributing, selling, and/or offering for sale without authority, literally or under the

Beautyko, Ivog and ABC Corp. are collectively referred to as Defendants.

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doctrine of equivalents, products covered by one or more claims of the 117 patent in violation
35 U.S.C.

271(a). Upon information and belief, Defendants respective infringing products,

11.

including without limitation the Ivog Xbuff Heeling Me Softly model, and the Beautyko Foot Doctor Micro Callus Free model are in all material respects identical to one another and have been supplied from a common source, the actual name of which is currently unknown to Plaintiffs and is identified herein solely as ABC Corp. 12. Plaintiffs have been damaged as a result of the infringing conduct by Defendants

alleged above and, thus, such defendant is liable to Plaintiffs in an amount that adequately compensates the for Defendants infringements, which, by law, cannot be less than a reasonable royalty, together with interest and costs as fixed by this Court under 35 U.S.C.
13.

284.

As a result of Defendants infringing conduct, Plaintiffs are suffering great and

irreparable injury, and Plaintiffs will continue to suffer such harm unless and until Defendants infringing activities are enjoined by this Court. 14. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court enter judgment as follows:
15.

Finding that one or more claims of the 117 patent have been infringed, either

literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents, by Defendants; 16. Permanently enjoining Defendants and their officers, directors, agents, servants,

affiliates, employees, divisions, branches, subsidiaries, parents, and all others acting in active concert therewith from infringement of the 117 patent;

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17.

Awarding Plaintiffs all damages to and costs incurred by them because of

Defendants infringing activities and other conduct complained of herein; 18. Awarding Plaintiffs pre-judgment and post-judgment interest on the damages

caused by Defendants infringing activities and other conduct complained of herein; 19. Declaring that this an exceptional case and awarding Plaintiffs their reasonable

attorneys fees and costs in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 20.

285; and

Granting Plaintiffs such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and

proper under the circumstances.

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Under Fed.R.Civ.P. Rule 38, Plaintiffs request a trial by jury of any issues so triable by right.

Dated: November 7, 2013 Moskin Hanna OLEY & LARDNER LLP 90 Park Avenue New York, New York 10016 212-682-7474 j rnoskinfoley.com rhannafoley.com Attorneys for Plaintiffs SOFT LINES INTERNATIONAL, LLC AND EMJOI, INC.

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Case 1:13-cv-07931-TPG Document 1

11111111 1 1 1 11111111111111111111111li i! li i! 1 1 1 1 1 IIIIIli i Hit tilt

US008551 1 17B2 (10)
(45)

Filed 11/07/13 Page 5 of 16

(12)

Yiu
(54)

United States Patent

HANDHELD EXFOLIATING DEVICE
Inventor:

Patent No.: Date of Patent:

US 8,551,117 B2 Oct. 8, 2013

(75) (73)
*

Wai Wah Yiu, Kowloon (HK)

6,305,084 81 6,391,034 Bl 6,442,840 B2

6,551,262 81 7,581,545 B! 2007/0125097 Al

Assignee: Soft Lines Intei-national, Ltd., Kowloon (HK)

Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

6,523,546 82

6,471,712 B2

10/2002 Burres

10/2001 Zucker 5/2002 Adamson etal. 9/2002 Zucker

4/2003 Lechtman 9/2009 Moldawski et at. 6/2007 Habatjou

2/2003 Jo et at.

606/131

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

CN CI) DE DE JP KR
DE

(21)

AppI. No.: 13/324,935

Filed: Dec. 13, 2011

(22)

(65)

Prior Publicathin Data

US 2012/0226289 Al Sep. 6,2012

20t 04304 UI 2020080 05 686 2006-055489 10-2007-00 17427

201 04 304

101116576 201051937

2/2008 4/200 8
5/2001 5/2001 7/200 8

3/2006
2/2007

OTHER PUBLICATIONS International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT Applica tion PCT/1B2012/000474, mailed Jul. 12, 2012, 12 pages. Images of a ROTOSHAVE razor believed to be on sale more than one year before the filing of the present application, 7 pages, 2010.
*

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 61/449,567, flIed on Mar. 4,2011.

(51)
(52) (58)

Lnt.Cl. A6IB 17/50 (2006.01) U.S. Cl. USPC 606/131; 30/43.5 Field of Classification Search USPC 606/131, 133; 30/43.4, 43.5 See application file for complete search history.
References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
1,482,837 2,395,296 2,867,214 5,377,699 A A A A 5,918,607 A
*

cited by examiner

Primary Examiner Victor Nguyen (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Foley & Lardner LLP

(57)

ABSTRACT

(56)

6,055,731 A

2)1924 Buck 2/1946 Schwab 1/1959 Wilson 1/1995 Varnum 7/1999 Zucker

30/41.6

A skin removal device includes a housing having a handle portion, a drum assembly coupled to the handle portion and including a drum, the drum having an abrasive outer surface configured to abrade skin of a user during rotation of the drum, and an electromechanical drive system disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to rotate the drum. The drum assembly is moveable in a lateral direction relative to the handle portion to enable insertion and removal of the drum assembly.

5/2000 Zucker

18 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

62

32 12

0 SECTION AM AM

14

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U.S. Patent

Oct. 8, 2013

Sheet 2 of 5

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U.S. Patent

Oct. 8, 2013

SheetS of 5

US 8,551,117 B2

Motor Head Assembly Is Provided

4,

100

102

Exfoliating Head Is Provided

4,

104

Coupling Exfoliating Head To Drive Shaft

Exfoliating Device Housing Including A Handle Is Provided

4,

106

Coupling Motor Head Assembly To The Exfoliating Device Housing

108

FIG. 10

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HANDUELD EXFOLIATING DEVICE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS The present app]ication claims the benefit of U.S. Provi sional Application No. 61/449,567, filed Mar. 4, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to the field of exfoliating devices. The present disclosure relates specifi cally to a handheld exfoliating device. Outer layers of skin may be removed for a variety of rea sons and in a variety of ways. Generally, exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the skins outer most layers and is part of many cosmetic techniques and procedures. Exfoliation can occur via mechanical removal of the skin, typically by rubbing the skin with an abrasive material. For example, during a pedicure, dead skin from the bottom of the feet may be removed using a pumice stone. Chemical exfo liant products containing various chemicals such as, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid, can also be used during exfoliation. Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to improved exfoliating devices and related methods.
10

US 8,551,117 B2

20

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the exfoliating device of FIG. 1 showing a cross-section of a portion of the motor head assembly taken along line AN-AN shown in PIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the exfoliating device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a front view ofa motor head assembly for use with an exfoliating device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the motor head assembly of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the motor head assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the motor head assembly of FIG. 4 shown following assembly. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the motor head assembly of FIG. 7 showing a partial cut-away view of a exfoliating head, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the exfoli ating device of FIG. 1 taken along line AM-AM in FIG, 3. FIG. 10 is flow diagram showing assembly of an exfoliat ing device, according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the Figures, which illustrale the exem plary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodol ogy set forth in the description or illustrated in the Figures. Ii should also be understood that the tenninology ttsed herein is o for the purpose of description and illustration only, and SUMMARY should not be regarded as limiting. Referring to FIG. 1, a skin removal device for removing One embodiment relates to a skin removal device compris outer; dead skin cells, shown as exfoliating device 10, is ing a housing comprising a handle portion; a drum assembly depicted according to an exemplary embodiment. Exfoliating coupled to the handle portion and comprising a drum having an abrasive outer surface configured to abrade skin of a user 35 device 10 may be configured for various cosmetic treatments or pmcedures involving skin removal. For example, exfoliat during rotation of the drum; and an electromechanical drive ing device 10 may be a pedicure device configured to remove system disposed at least partially within the housing and skin from a persons foot. However, in other embodiments, configured to rotate the drum; wherein the drum assembly is exfoliating device 10 may be configured to remove skin from tnoveable in a lateral direction relative to the handle portion to 40 other parts of the body (e.g., hands, face, etc.). All such enable insertion and removal of the drum assembly. applications of device 10 are within the scope of the present Another embodiment relates to an exfoliating device corn disclosure. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9, exfoli pri sing a housing comprising a handle portion and a mounting atingdevice 10 is a handheld, electric or automatic exfoliating bracket extending from the handle portion; a drum assembly device in which the exfoliating motion is supplied by an coupled to the handle portion and comprising a cylindrical 45 electro-mechanical drive mechanism (e.g., an electric motor; drum having an abrasive outer surface configured to abrade etc.). In other embodiments, exfoliating device 10 may be a skin ofa user during rotation of the drum, the drum compris manual, handheld exfoliating device in which the exfoliating ing an antimicrobial agent; a drive system disposed at least action is provided manttally. In yet another embodiment, partially within the housing and configured to rotate the drum. exfoliating device 10 may be a combination manual, electric Another embodiment relates to a skin removal device com so exfoliating device. According to an exemplary embodiment, exfoliating prising a handle portion; a mounting bracket coupled to the device 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 generally sup handle portion and having first and second lateral sides; and a ports and provides mounting for the various components of dntm assembly rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket, the exfoliating device 10. In one embodiment, housing 12 defines drum assembly comprising a drum configured to rotate rela tive to the mounting bracket, the drum comprising an antimi 55 a handle portion 14 and a head mounting bracket 16. Handle portion 14 is shaped to provide a comfortable gripping struc crobial agent; wherein the drum assembly is insertable and ture to allow a user to hold and to manipulate exfoliating removable in a lateral direction adjacent at least one of the device 10 during use. Handle portion 14 includes a pair of lateral sides of the mounting bracket. opposite lateral sides that may include various griping fea BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 60 tures to facilitate grasping ofhandle portion 14 (e.g., a raised, textured surface that also facilitates gripping, a compliant This application will become more fully understood from rubber-type material that facilitates griping while the rest of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with handle 14 is formed of a rigid material the provides the overall the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals shape and rigidity to handle 14, etc.). Lateral gripping seerefer to like elements. 65 tions may make holding handle 14 easier due to the increased FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanctheld exfoliating friction between the users hand and the compliant material of device according to an exemplary embodiment. the lateral grip sections.
25

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In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, handle 14 is exfoliating device 10. In one embodiment, head assembly 49 shaped such that the latera] surfaces of handle portion 14 are and/or drum 48 are configured to be inserted and/or removed concave and curve inwardly toward the central portion of in a lateral direction, permitting the drum or its outer surface handle 14. Thus, in this embodiment, handle 14 includes a to be cleaned, maintained, replaced, etc. reduced diameter portion spaced below head mounting s In one embodiment, abrasive outer surface 50 may be or bracket 16. Located at the lower end of handle 14 is a battery include a coating and may be formed by embedding or affix door 28 that provides access to batteries that provide power to ing a gritty material, such as pumice, directly to the Outer exfoliating device 10. surface of drum 48. In another embodiment, a sheet of abra Referring to FIG. 1, handle 14 of exfoliating device 10 sive material (e.g., a sandpaper material) may be adhered to includes a front surface 30, and an activation switch 32 is to drum 48 to form outer surface 50. In another embodiment, positioned along front surface 30. Activation switch 32 may exfoliating device 10 may include a plurality of drums 48 be toggled between on and off positions, allowing the user to each having different abrasive outer surfaces 50 providing activate and deactivate exfoliating device 10. Activation different levels of coarseness or abrasiveness. In this embodi switch 32 is positioned along front surface 30 between the ment, the user may select and install a drum 48 depending on lateral sides of handle portion 14 such that the user may 15 the users desire or need for a particular use. Further, as access activation switch 32 with the users fingers or thumb explained in more detail below, motor head assembly 36 may while handle portion 14 is grasped within the users hand. In be configured to allow the user to easily switch or replace one embodiment, activation switch 32 may he positioned drum 48 of motor head assembly 36. within a recess (not shown) formed in front surface 30 of According to various exemplary embodiments, outer sur handle 14 such that the outer face or surface of activation 20 face 50 may include an anti-microbial and/or anti-bacterial switch 32 is recessed below front surface 30 of handle 14, substance or agent 51 (e.g., a compound, a powder etc.) which may make inadvertent actuation of activation switch configured to inhibit the growth of undesirable microorgan 32 less likely. isms such as bacteria, fungi, etc. Agent 51 may be provided as Referring to FIG. 1, mounting bracket 16 extends from an a part of the coating formed on outer surface 50 of druni 48. upper end or portion of handle 14. Mounting bracket 16 is 25 For example, in some embodiments, agent 51 may be mixed coupled to and supports a motor head assembly 36. As best with an abrasive material and the mixture subsequently seen in FIG. 3, in one embodiment mounting bracket 16 is a coated or otherwise applied to drum 48, According to one generally straight mounting bracket generally aligned with embodiment, agent 51 makes up between approximately 1-12 the upper portion ofhandle portion 14. In other embodiments, percent of the coating of outer surface 50, while iii other mounting bracket 16 may be a curved or bent member and 30 embodiments relatively more or less of agent 51 may be include a lower section and an upper section positioned at an utilized. In yet further embodiments, agent 51 may be applied angle relative to the lower section (e.g., at an angle between to the surface of the coating (e.g., sprayed, brushed, sifted, about zero degrees and 90 degrees, specifically between etc.) or integrated into the coating on drum 48 using any of a about 15 degrees and 45 degrees, and more specifically variety of other alternative methods (e.g. adhesives, etc). between about 25 degrees and 35 degrees). The shape and size 35 According to one embodiment, agent 51 is a powder (e.g., of mounting bracket 16 may be selected to facilitate the a solid). According to other embodiments, other types of positioning of the exfoliating portion of motor head assembly agents may be used, including liquids, semi-solids, pastes, 36 against the users skin during exfoliation. etc. The type and/or amount of agent utilized may be varied Referring further to FIG. 1, in one embodiment motor head based on the intended usage of the exfoliating device (e.g., assembly 36 is coupled to and rigidly supported by mounting 40 based on what part of the body the device is intended to be bracket 16 such that a user grasping handle 14 is able to used, etc.) and/or other factors. manipulate and position motor head assembly 36 during ttse. As shown in FIG. 1, exfoliating device 10 may also include Motor head assembly 36 includes a housing 42 that generally a cover 62 that is configured to be coupled to mounting provides support for the components of motor head assembly bracket 16 to partially encloses portion of motor head assem 36. Motor head assembly 36 also includes a mounting post 44 45 bly 36. Cover 62 provides protection to drum 48 and covers extending from one of the lateral sides of motor head assem outer surface 50 of drum 48. In this manner, cover 62 limits bly 36. Mounting bracket 16 includes an aperture 46 that inadvertent contact with drum 48 when exfoliating device 10 receives mounting post 44. Aperture 46 facilitates location of is not in use. Cover 62 may be secured to mounting bracket 16 motor head assembly 36 relative to mounting bracket 16 via a press-fit engagement or other suitable coupling (e.g., during assembly and also provides engagement that substan so snapfit, friction fit, indents/detents, etc.). tially fixes motorhead assembly 36 in place relative to mount Referring to FIGS. 4-6, motor head assembly 36 is shown ing bracket 16, disconnected from mounting bracket 16. According to an Referring to FIGS. 1-3, motor head assembly 36 includes exemplary embodiment, an electro-mechanical drive system an exfoliating head or drum assembly 49. Exfoliating head is utilized to rotate dnmm 48. For example, in one embodiment assembly 49 includes an exfoliating head, shown as drum 48, 55 motor head assembly 36 may include an electric motor 52, a and an end hub 78 coupled to one of the lateral ends of dnun series of gears 54, and a drive shaft 56. Drum 48 includes a 48. Drum 48 is the rotating element of exfoliating head cavity 64 defined within the body of drum 48, and drive shaft assembly 49 and is rotatably coupled to end hub 78. In the 56 includes a first end 70 and a second end 72. Drive shaft 56 embodiment shown, drum 48 is a cylindrical structure that is is received within cavity 64 of drum 48, and second end 72 is rotatably mounted such that drum 48 is allowed to rotate 60 the free end of drive shaft 56 that is located within cavity 64. relative to housing 42 of motor head assembly 36. When Gears 54 are coupled to an output shaft of electric motor 52 motor head assembly 36 is coupled to mounting bracket 16 as and to first end 70 of drive shaft 56. Gears 54 transmit rota shown in FIG. 1, at least a portion of drum 48 is positioned tional motion from electric motor 52 to drive shaft 56. Drum above the upper end of mounting bracket 16 and located at the 48 is rigidly coupled to drive shaft 56 such that rotation of upper end of exfoliating device 10. Dnim 48 includes an outer as drive shaft 56 causes a corresponding rotation of drum 48. surface 50 configured to remove or abrade (e.g., grind, pul In use, upon a useractivating device 10 (e.g., buy activation verize, etc.) skin, providing the exfoliating functionality of of witch 32), motor 52 causes drum 48 to rotate, and the user

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places the abrasive outer surface 50 of drum 48 in contact with ating head assembly 49 may be easier to manufacture and less expensive than a head assembly having a permanently skin that the user wishes to remove. As drum 48 rotates, outer attached drive shaft. surface 50 of drum 48 rubs or abrades the outer layer of the Referring to FIG. 9, a cross-section of motor head assem users skin resulting in removal of dead skin cells. bly 36 is shown coupled to mounting bracket 16. As shown in As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8, motor head assembly 36 FIG. 9, a spring 60 is coupled to the lower end of support includes a support bracket 58. Exfoliating head assembly 49 bracket 58, and when motor head assembly 36 is coupled to is supported by support bracket 58 and drive shaft 56. In mounting bracket 16, a spring 60 is engaged between support particular, as shown in FIG. 8, drive shaft 56 supports one end bracket 58 and an inner surface of mounting bracket 16. In of exfoliating head assembly 49 via the coupling between 10 this maimer, spring 60 biases drum 48 upward to assist in drum 48 and drive shaft 56. The other end of exfoliating head maintaining contact between outer surface 50 of drum 48 and assembly 49 is supported via contact between end hub 78 and the users skin during use. support bracket 58. As shown in FIG. 8, support bracket 58 Referring to FIG. 10 a method ofassembling an exfoliating includes an arcuate upper surface 74 shaped to match the device is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. At curve of an outer surface of end hub 78 providing a support is step 100, a motor head assembly is provided. The motor head surface that partially surrounds a portion of end hub 78. assembly includes a housing and a drive shaft supported by As noted above, the engagement between drive shaft 56 the housing. The drive shaft is coupled to a motor via gears and drum 48 forms a rigid connection such that rotation of such that the motor causes rotation of the drive shaft In one drive shaft 56 causes a corresponding rotation of drum 48. As embodiment, the motor head assembly may be motor head shown in FIG. 8, cavity 64 of drum 48 forms an opening 66 20 assembly 36 discussed above. At step 102, an exfoliating head through one of the lateral faces of drum 48, and cavity 64 is provided. The exfoliating head may be a cylindrical drum extends at least part of the way through drum 48. End 72 of including a central cavity having an opening formed in one of the lateral sides of the drum. In one embodiment, the exfoli drive shaft 56 is sized to form a press-fit or friction fit engage ating head may be drum 48 discussed above and may include ment within cavity 64 of drum 48. In another embodiment, end 72 of drive shaft 56 includes one or more projecting 25 an anti-microbial agent or compound. At step 104, the exfoliating head is coupled 10 a drive shaft elements configured to engage cooperating recesses within of the motor head assembly. In one embodiment, the opening cavity 64 to ensure transfer ofrotational motion of drive shaft in the lateral side of the exfoliation head is aligned with the 56 to drum 48. In one such embodiment, end 72 may be sized drive shaft, and the exfoliating head is mounted to the drive to form a snap-fit engagement within cavity 64. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the end of drum 48 opposite 30 shaft by moving the head laterally such that the drive shaft is received within the cavity of the head, In one embodiment, the opening 66 is coupled to end hub 78 via a shaft 80. Shaft 80 is exfoliating head is coupled to the drive shaft via a press-fit or rigidly connected to end hub 78, and drum 48 is rotatably friction-fit between the outer surface of the drive shaft and the connected to shaft 80. Thus, as drum 48 is rotated by drive inner surface of the head cavity. In another embodiment, the shaft 56, dnun 48 rotates relative to shaft 80 and end hub 78. 35 exfoliating head is coupled to the drive shaft via a snap-fit In another embodiment, shaft 80 is rotatably coupled to end engagement. At step 106, an exfoliating device housing hub 78 and is rigidly connected to drum 48, Thus, in this including a handle is provided, and at step 108, the motor embodiment, as drum 48 is rotated by drive shaft 56, both head assembly is coupled to the exfoliating device housing. In drum 48 and shaft 80 rotate together relative to end hub 78. one embodiment, the motor head assembly is coupled to the To allow drum 48 to rotate, a second support bracket 68 o exfoliating device housing after the exfoliating head is (see FIG. 9) is configured such that drum 48 is pennitted to coupled to the motor head assembly. In another embodiment, rotate relative to the second support bracket 68. Second sup the exfoliating drum may be coupled to the drive shaft when port bracket 68 is configured to rotatably support drive shaft the motor head assembly is coupled to the exfoliating device 56 and facilitate rotation ofdrum 48 relative to second support housing. bracket 68. In one embodiment, second support bracket 68 is 45 Some embodiments herein relate to a skin removal device shaped to be slightly larger than the diameter of drum 48. In for removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin of a a further embodiment, second support bracket 68 may include user. The device includes a motor, a drive shaft, and a drum a recess (not shown) to provide a rotational bearing surface coupled to the drive shaft such that rotational motion gener allowing drum 48 to spin or rotate freely within the recess. ated by the motor is transferred to the dnun. The outer surface In one embodiment, drive shaft 56 is permanently coupled so of the drum is configured to abrade the skin of the user during to gears 54, and exfoliating head assembly 49, and specifi rotation. The drum includes a cavity extending from one cally drum 48, is removably coupled (i.e., not permanently lateral end of the drum along at least a portion of the length of coupled to)to drive shaft 56. This configuration allows exfo the drum, and the drive shaft is received within the cavity to liating head assembly 49 to be removed and replaced while couple the drum to the drive shaft. drive shaft 56 remains in place coupled to gears 54. This 55 In some embodiments, a method of assembling an exfoli allows the user to switch between drums having different ating device includes providing an exfoliating device housing abrasion properties by exchanging the exfoliating head having a handle. In one embodiment, the method includes assembly 49 currently coupled to motor head assembly 36. coupling a motor head assembly to the exfoliating device This configuration also allows for the replacement an old housing after the exfoliating head is coupled to the drive shaft. drum 48 with an exfoliating head assembly 49 having new 60 In another embodiment, the exfoliating drum may be coupled drum 48 without requiring drive shaft 56 to be decoupled to the drive shaft when the motor head assembly is coupled to from motor head assembly 36. Because drive shaft 56 remains the exfoliating device housing. In one embodiment, an open coupled to gears 54 after exfoliating head assembly 49 has ing in the lateral side of the exfoliating head is aligned with been removed (as shown in FIG. 8), drive shaft 56 may act as the drive shaft, and the exfoliating head is mounted to the a locating featnre helping the user to align the new exfoliating 65 drive shaft by moving the head laterally such that the drive head assembly 49 during assembly to ensure it is properly shaft is received within the cavity of the head. In one embodi installed relative to motor head assembly 36. Further, exfoli meat, the exfoliating head is coupled to the drive shaft via a

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press..fit or friction-fit between the outer surface of the drive 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising shaft and the inner surface of the cavity. In another embodi a biasing member configured to provide a biasing force ment, the exfoliating head is coupled to the drive shaft via a between the mounting bracket and the drum assembly to bias the drum toward the skin of the user during use of snap-fit engagement. Various exemplary embodiments relate to the method ofassembling an exfoliating device, as recited 5 the device. above, and including any combination of one orinore features 6. An exfoliating device comprising: recited in the detailed description and shown in the figures. a housing comprising a handle portion and a mounting Further modifications and alternative embodiments ofvari bracket extending from the handle portion; ous aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled a drum assembly removably coupled to the handle portion in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this 10 and comprising: description is to be construed as illustrative only. The con a cylindrical drum having an abrasive outer surface con struction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary figured to abrade skin of a user during rotation of the embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few drum; embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, a cavity formed in a first end of the drum; and many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, Is an end hub coupled to a second end of the drum, the end dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various hub comprising an annular groove; elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use a drive system disposed at least partially within the housing of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially and configured to rotate the drum via a drive shaft departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the received in the cavity of the drum assembly; the drive subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as 20 shaft being coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the drum integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or such that during operation the drum rotates about the elements, the position of elements may be reversed or other drive shaft, the drive system comprising an electric wise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or motor interconnected with the drive shaft via a plurality positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of of spur gears; any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied 25 a support bracket movably coupled to the mounting or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other bracket, the support bracket comprising an arcuate sur substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also face to support the end hub of the drum assembly, be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement wherein the support bracket engages the annular groove of the various exemplary embodiments without departing to rotatably maintain a position of the drum assembly from the scope of the present invention. relative to the mounting bracket; 30 What is claimed is: wherein when the drum assembly is removed from the 1. A skin removal device comprising: exfoliating device, the drive shaft remains coupled to the a housing comprising a handle portion; drive system. a drum assembly removably coupled to the handle portion 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the drum assembly is and comprising: 35 insertable into and removable from the housing via a lateral a drum having an abrasive outer surface configured to side of the handle portion. abrade skin of a user during rotation of the drum; 8. The device of claim 6, a recess formed in a first end of the drum; wherein the drive shaft is received within the recess to a hub coupled to a second end of the drum, the hub rotationally fix the drum relative to the drive shaft. comprismg an annular groove; and 40 9. The device ofclaim 6, further comprising a spring mem an electromechanical drive system disposed at least par ber configured to bias the drum relative to the mounting tially within the housing and configured to rotate the bracket and toward the skin of the user. drum, the electromechanical drive system comprising: 10. The device of claim 6, further comprising a cover a drive shaft, at least a portion of which is received in the configured to engage the handle portion in a snap-fit fashion recess of the drum to rotatably fix the drive shaft 45 and substantially cover the drum assembly. relative to the drum such that the drum rotates with the 11. The device of claim 6, further comprising a coating on drive shaft about an axis of the drive shaft; and an outer surface of the drum, the coating comprising an anti an electric motor coupled to ihe drum assembly via a microbial agent making up between 1 and 12 percent of the plurality of gears and the drive shaft; coating. a n3onnting bracket extending from the housing and con 50 12. The device of claim 6, wherein when the drum is figured to support the drum assembly, the mounting inserted into the skin removal device, the drive shaft acts as a bracket comprising at least one U-shaped support locating feature to align the dr-mn relative to the skin removal bracket configured to rotatably support the hub of the device. drum assembly, wherein the support bracket engages the 13. The device of claim 6, further comprising a spring annular groove to rotatably maintain a position of the ss providing a spring force biasing the support bracket toward drum assembly relative to the mounting bracket; the drum assembly. wherein the drum assembly is movable in a lateral direction 14. The device of claim 13, wherein when the support relative to the handle portion to enable insertion and bracket is moved against the spring force, the support bracket removal of the drum assembly; and wherein when the disengages from the end hub and allows the drum assembly to drum assembly is removed from the housing, the drive 60 be removed from the skin removal device. shaft remains coupled to the housing. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the support bracket 2. The device of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the comprises a post configured to extend at least partially dnun comprises an antimicrobial agent. through an aperture in one of the lateral sides of the mounting 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the bracket, the post configured to facilitate movement of the drum comprises an abrasive sheet of material. 65 support bracket. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is config 16. A skin removal device, comprising: ured to engage the recess in a friction fit manner. a housing comprising a handle portion;

US 8,551,1 17 B2

Case 1:13-cv-07931-TPG Document 1

Filed 11/07/13 Page 16 of 16

a mounting bracket coupled to the handle portion, having first and second lateral sides, and comprising a U-shaped support; a drum assembly removably coupled to the mounting 5 bracket, the drum assembly comprising: a drum configured to rotate relative to the mounting bracket, the drum comprising an antimicrobial agent; and an end hub coupled to a first end of the drum assembly and defining an annulnr groove, the annular groove 10 engaged by the support of the mounting bracket to at least partially maintain a position of the drum assem bly relative to the mounting bracket; and a drive system configured to rotate the dnun about an axis of a drive shaft received in a recess formed in a second ts end of the drum assembly, the drive system comprising a motor and a plurality of gears operably coupling the motor and the drive shaft; wherein the drum assembly is insertable and removable in a lateral direction adjacent at least one of the lateral sides 20 of the mounting bracket and wherein when the drum assembly is removed from the skin removal device, the drive shaft remains coupled to the device. 17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a spring configured to bias the drum toward the skin of a user during 25 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the drum assembly comprises a projection configured to extend at least partially through an aperture in one of the lateral sides of the mounting bracket, the projection configured to at least partially maintam the position of the drum assembly relative to the mount ing bracket.
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US 8,551,117 B2

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