Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-30
2001-02-20
Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
C206S538000, C206S438000, C206S561000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190672
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to cosmetological apparatus and methods and medical devices and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to paraffin skin moisturizing and/or pain relief apparatus, articles and methods.
2. Background Information
The state of the art includes various devices and methods related to paraffin skin moisturizing and pain relief apparatus and articles. WR Medical Electronics Co. of Stillwater, Minn. USA, applicant's assignee, manufactures and sells the THERABATH II® portable paraffin therapy bath. The paraffin bath or spa comprises a heated tank which holds a paraffin mixture heated to a predetermined temperature and liquefied. The liquefied paraffin mixture is used in, inter alia, manicures, pedicures and facials for moisturizing, and for heat therapy for pain relief or inflammation reduction in for example patients who have chronic joint diseases such as arthritis, chronic or acute orthopedic injuries or conditions such as inflammation stiffness or muscle spasm, sports injuries, or other medical conditions.
The paraffin is commonly supplied to the bath in a solid or semi-solid form article which is a mixture of refined paraffin wax and mineral oil. Other elements may be added such lanolin, vitamins, fragrance or the like. An example of a paraffin mixture is THERAFFIN® paraffin mixture sold by WR Medical Electronics Co. The solid mixture typically comes in the form of a relatively large block, brick, cartridge or tub, typically approximately six (6) to twenty-two (22) pounds in weight. An example of this type of refill is the ONESTEP™ Theraffin Refill sold by WR Medical Electronics Co. It is necessary to cut or slice the large block into portions of a size which will fit into a bath apparatus. Another refill system comprises individually packaged sticks of approximately one (1) pound each, for example the THERAFFIN® wax stick sold by WR Medical Electronics Co. Other systems include trays or pouches in smaller sizes ranging from one half (½) to four (4) pounds. Finally, the paraffin may come in the form of chips, beads or another solid particulate form in a bag or container, which is mixed with liquid oil directly in the bath.
Prior art paraffin mixture refill articles, and their methods of manufacture and use are believed to have significant limitations and shortcomings. For example, blocks and the like must be sliced or cut to size prior to insertion, thus necessitating the provision of and use of a separate tool and requiring extra time for bath set-up. Also, the use of these larger portions necessitate the use of a secondary paraffin refill system consisting of smaller units or chips to add small amounts of paraffin to maintain a virgin paraffin level when the heater unit is in constant use. Sticks typically come in separate packages which must be cut open and discarded, resulting in additional time spent and waste generated. Pouches and trays tend to flake when peeled from containers. And, chips must be poured and have oil added thereto, which is typically quite messy.
Applicant's invention provides an improved paraffin package system or refill article for a paraffin bath which clearly overcomes the limitations and shortcomings of the prior art. Applicant's invention also provides a method of manufacturing the refill article and a method of using the refill article with a paraffin bath.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved paraffin refill or package system or article wherein the paraffin mixture is provided in a large total volume which has preselected portions or sub-volumes. The sub-volumes or portions are preferably cube shaped.
In use, a single carton containing the paraffin refill or system is opened. One or more portions or cubes of the system are added to the bath apparatus reservoir and heated. The user then observes the resultant liquefied mix to determine whether additional portions of the system are necessary. Any remaining portions of the system are saved in the carton.
The paraffin refill or package system is made by a method basically comprising the steps of:
(a) placing a divider structure in a molding container,
(b) adding a mixture of melted paraffin wax and liquid mineral oil to the container,
(c) cooling the mixture or permitting the mixture to cool to a predetermined temperature so that it solidifies, and
(d) placing the solidified mixture and divider structure in a package or a paraffin bath.
Significant features of the invention include:
(1) The article of this invention is preblended with optimized proportions of highly refined, medical components, with no need to mix.
(2) Compared to blocks, the article requires no tools and is simpler and faster to use.
(3) Compared to sticks, the article does not require cutting open packages and generates less packaging waste.
(4) Compared to chips, no mixing of paraffin and liquid mineral oil is required, saving time and creating no mess.
REFERENCES:
Advertisement—Amber, Paraffin Refill, Jan. 1991.
Advertisement—Depileve, White unscented paraffin.
Advertisement—Grimm Scientific Ind., PARAlin paraffin refills.
Advertisement—Talcott Laboratories, Paraffin Chips.
Therabath® Paraffin Heat Therapy System, assorted product literature (dated Jun. 1995 -Nov. 1995), including Therabath® Paraffin EZ Cubes™.
Para-Salon (Bristol, PA), “Nails Magazine,” Advertisement (3 Sheets), (May 31, 1988).
Amber Skin Care Products (Cleveland, OH), Advertisement (4 Sheets), (Jan. 31, 1989).
Amber (Cleveland, OH), Advertisement (3 Sheets), (Jan. 31, 1991).
Para-Salon, Gigi Laboratories (Los Angeles, CA), Advertisement (1 Sheet), 1991.
Avinal (No Address Given), Advertisement (1 Sheet), Undated.
Depiléve (No Address Given), Advertisement (1 Sheet), Undated.
Gena Laboratories (Duncanville, TX), Advertisement (3 Sheets), Undated.
Grimm Scientific Ind (Marietta, OH), Advertisement (1 Sheet), Undated.
Light Concept Nails (No Address Given), Advertisement (1 Sheet), Undated.
Talcott Laboratories Inc. (McDonald, PA), Advertisement (4 Sheets), Undated.
Dickson, Thermo-Electric Co. (Cleveland, OH), Advertisement (2 Sheets), Undated.
Waxwel, Fabrication Enterprises Incorporated (Irvington, NY), Advertisement (2 Sheets), Undated.
Fredrikson & Byron , P.A.
Page Thurman K.
Seidleck Brian K.
WR Medical Electronics Co.
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