AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Applicant(s): TROPIC SPA, INC. Actual Inventor(s): James D Mancel and John Marmora Address for Service: PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES 26 Ellingworth Parade Box Hill Victoria 3128 Australia Title: AUTOMATED MIST TANNING APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 AUTOMATED MIST TANNING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [00011 The present invention relates to sunless tanning and, more particularly, a mist tanning apparatus for automatically releasing a sprayed discharge of a tanning substance from one or more nozzles. Discussion of the Related Art [0002] Sunless tanning sprays and lotions are becoming increasingly popular due to the dangers associated with exposure to ultra violet rays. Sunless tanning products are available for application in commercial settings as well as self-application at home. Spray application of various sunless tanning products are available at commercial tanning salons and typically require expensive equipment, such as pumps, cylinders and flow meters, making these systems considerably expensive. As a result, the cost of sunless tanning at commercial tanning salons is rather expensive. Sunless tanning products for self-application are provided in a variety of forms, such as compact powder (e.g. application with a brush), foam, cream and liquid spray. While liquid sunless tanning products have been found to be most effective when packaged with a propellant in a spray canister, it is difficult to self apply a liquid spray tanning product that does not result in a significant waste of the sunless tanning product. Moreover, it is difficult to hold the spray canister at the desired distance from the skin throughout the application process, thereby making uniform spray application across the entire body particularly difficult. Thus, while spray application from an aerosol propellant canister has been found to be the most effective means for self application of a sunless tanning product, it is difficult to achieve the desired uniform spray coverage to the skin in a manner that does not produce considerable waste of the sunless tanning product. 2 [0003] Accordingly, there remains a need for an apparatus for automatic and uniform spray application of a sunless tanning product that prevents waste of the tanning product. [00041 The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products 5 are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art in Australia. Summary of the Invention [0005] The present invention is directed to an automated mist tanning 0 apparatus that sprays a uniform discharge of a sunless tanning product from a plurality of vertically spaced openings onto the skin of a user. Canisters containing the sunless tanning product are installable within the frame structure of the apparatus between spring-loaded shelves, with the nozzle of the canister being securable in a corresponding cradle. Each cradle is in attachment with an 5 elongated plate vertically extending within the frame structure. A solenoid in wired connection with an LED button moves the elongated plate upwards when activated, thereby causing each of the cradles to simultaneously depress against the corresponding nozzle for concurrent spray application of the sunless tanning product to the user's skin. To initiate the spray application, the LED button is o pressed a first time to turn the apparatus on, which will cause the LED button to pulse a blue light for a period of time (e.g., 10 seconds) during which the user must press the LED button a second time to initiate a countdown sequence, which gives the user approximately six seconds to get into place before the spray application begins. The user rotates 360 degrees during the spray application 5 process, which takes 15 seconds, for uniform application of the sunless tanning product to the user's skin. The apparatus will emit a buzzing noise every three seconds during the application process to indicate the speed at which the user must rotate in order to complete the 360 degree turn as the 15 second cycle completes. 0 According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an automated mist tanning apparatus for discharging a sunless tanning product from a plurality of canisters, said apparatus comprising: a frame structure for holding the plurality of canisters, and said frame 35 structure having a plurality of vertically spaced openings; an actuator assembly for concurrently operating the valve on each of the plurality of canisters for automated release of the sunless tanning product onto the skin of a user, and said actuator assembly comprising: a solenoid operable between an activated position and a deactivated 10 position; and an elongated plate connected with said solenoid and vertically moveable in response to operation of said solenoid between said activated and deactivated positions; a plurality of canister securing mechanisms on said frame structure, each [5 of said plurality of canister securing mechanisms comprising: a first and second shelf vertically spaced and connected by a spring urging said first and second shelves together, and said first and second 3 shelves being sized and configured for securing one of the plurality of canisters, and the spring allowing adjustable spacing between said first and second shelves for accommodating a range of sizes of the canister to be secured between said first and second shelves; 5 an actuator rail sized and configured for securing the lower portion of a nozzle on one of the plurality of canisters such that the nozzle is held in alignment with a corresponding one of the plurality of vertically spaced openings for discharging the sunless tanning product directly through the corresponding one of the plurality of vertically spaced openings, and said 0 actuator rail being structured and disposed for preventing rotation of the canister when secured between the first and second shelves and thereby maintaining the nozzle held in alignment with the corresponding one of the plurality of vertically spaced openings; a cradle for securing the upper portion of the nozzle, and each of said 5 cradles being attached to said elongated plate; and the spring urging the canister downwardly towards said cradle and holding the upper portion of the nozzle against the cradle; a control box comprising: an operational button having an LED indicator, and said operational 0 button being operable to initiate a plurality of functions of said apparatus; a speaker for emitting audible tones that indicate at least some of the plurality of functions of said apparatus; an internal rechargeable battery; a power input port for connecting to an external electrical power 5 supply for powering said apparatus and recharging said internal rechargeable battery; a buzzer for generating signals and communicating with said speaker to deliver said signals thereto for emitting said audible tones as a buzzing noise; and o a controller including at least one microprocessor for communicating with and controlling said LED indicator, said buzzer, and said actuator assembly, and said controller communicating with and receiving command signals from said operational button; whereby pressing said button a first time sends a signal to said controller 35 initiating a first countdown sequence during which time pressing the button a second time sends a signal to said controller initiating a second countdown sequence, after which said controller automatically sends a signal to activate said solenoid, thereby causing each of said cradles to concurrently engage the corresponding nozzle of each of the plurality of canisters for sprayed release of the 40 sunless tanning product; and whereby said solenoid is automatically deactivated after a predetermined amount of time, thereby causing return vertical movement of said elongated plate and movement of each of said cradles to concurrently disengage the corresponding nozzle of each of the plurality of canisters. 45 3a Brief Description of the Drawings [0006] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 5 [0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the automated mist tanning apparatus of the present invention; [0008] Figure 2 is an isolated perspective view illustrating the upper portion and mounting bracket of the automated mist tanning apparatus of the present invention; 0 [0009] Figure 3A is a side profile view illustrating the automated mist tanning apparatus of the present invention, with sunless tanning product being sprayed from a plurality of vertically spaced discharge openings onto the body of a user; [0010] Figure 3B is a top plan view illustrating the automated mist tanning apparatus of the present invention and the required rotational movement for uniform application of the sprayed sunless tanning product to the entire body of a user; [0011] Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a canister and an actuator assembly of the automated mist tanning apparatus of the present 3 invention; [0012] Figure 5A is an isolated side profile view, shown in partial cross section, illustrating a segment of the frame structure and the method of inserting a canister into the actuator assembly; [0013] Figure SB is an isolated side profile view, shown in partial cross 5 section, illustrating a segment of the frame structure and the method of releasably locking the canister into the actuator assembly; [0014] Figure 6A is an isolated side profile view, shown in partial cross section, illustrating a segment of the frame structure and a loaded canister; [0015] Figure 6B is an isolated side profile view, shown in partial cross D section, illustrating a segment of the frame structure and linear movement of the actuator assembly for discharging sunless tanning product from the canister; and 4 [0016] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the operating process of the automated mist tanning apparatus of the present invention, [0017] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0018] Referring to the several views of the drawings, the automated mist tanning apparatus is shown and is generally indicated as 10. [00191 Referring initially to. Figures 1 and 2, the automated mist tanning ) apparatus 10 includes a frame structure 12 including a front panel 14 and a rear panel 16. The front panel 14 includes a plurality of vertically spaced openings 18 sized for passage of discharged sunless tanning product, The rear panel 16 includes a mounting bracket 20 for securing the apparatus 10 in operational position (perpendicular relative to the ground surface) and a vertical track 22 having notches 24 sized to fit receiver posts (not.shown) on the back of the frame structure 12 for adjusting the height of the apparatus 10 to correspond with the height of the user. A control box 26 includes a power input port 28, a speaker 30 and an LED (light emitting diode) button 32 (also referred to as operator button with LED indicator). The LED operational button 32 is used to control initiation of several operational functions of the apparatus 10 and is capable of emitting light at different wavelengths for indicating one of a variety of circumstances associated with the several operational functions'. To separate the front panel 14 from the rear panel 16, tabs 34. on the.front panel 14 may be used to disengage the front panel 14. [00201 As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the apparatus 10 applies a uniform spray application of a sunless tanning product to a user's body, including the user's head, torso, arms, and legs. In a preferred embodiment, to initiate the spray application, LED operational button 32 is pressed a first time to turn the apparatus 10 on, which will cause the LED operational button 32 to pulse a blue light for a period of time (e.g., 10 seconds) during which the user must press the LED operational button 32 a second time to initiate a countdown sequence, 5 During the countdown sequence (e.g., 6 seconds), the user may get into position before the spray application begins. Spray application of the sunless tanning product will last for 15 seconds, during which time the user must rotate 360 degrees (see Fig, 3B) to allow the sprayed tanning product to be applied evenly to the user's body. A sound (e.g., a buzzing noise) will be emitted from the speaker 30 at the beginning of the spray application cycle as well as in 3 seconds intervals during the application cycle so that the user knows how fast to rotate. When spray application is complete, the user rubs the sprayed-on sunless. tanning product into his or her skin. The user preferably will wear a protective cover over 3 his or her hair, hands and feet to prevent direct spray application of sunless tanning product thereto, [0021] Referring to Figure 4, removal of the front panel 14 reveals the actuator assembly 36 of the apparatus 10. The actuator assembly 36 includes a solenoid 38 which vertically displaces elongated plate 40 when actuated (after the 6 second delay when LED operational button 32 is pressed a second time). The elongated plate 40 is attached to cradle 42 which is sized to receive the nozzle 46 of a canister 48 containing the sunless tanning product. An actuator rail 44 above the cradle 42 is sized and configured to secure a portion of the nozzle 46 to prevent the canister 48 from rotating within the cradle 42 and ensure that nozzle 46 is aligned to properly discharge the spray of sunless tanning product through corresponding opening 18. The housing 36 also includes two vertically- spaced shelves 50A and 50B sized to secure the bottom and top portions of the canister 48, respectively, which are joined by a spring 52 for urging the two shelves 50A and SOB. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 3A, the 5 apparatus includes six openings 18, requiring six pairs of vertically spaced shelves 50A and SOB for securing six canisters 48. [0022] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, to install a canister 48 in the apparatus 10, the bottom of the canister 48 is pressed against shelf 50A with upward force to extend spring 52 and provide enough room for the upper lip of 0 the canister 48 to be fitted above shelf SOB. The nozzle 46 of the canister 48 must be properly positioned in the forward direction for the sunless tanning 6 product to be properly discharged through opening 18. The spring 52 maintains the necessary force required to secure the canister 48 between shelves 50A and 50B. 10023] Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, actuation of the solenoid 38 begins 5 after the countdown sequence has expired following pressing the LED operational button 32 for the second time (during the 10-second LED button pulse). When activated, the solenoid 38 moves the elongated plate 40 upwards, thereby causing each of the cradles 42 to simultaneously depress against the corresponding nozzle 46 to operate the valve for concurrent spray application of the sunless tanning 0 product to the user's skin. [0024] In a preferred embodiment, an internal counter in the automated mist tanning apparatus 10 keeps track of the number of spray applications for the purpose of indicating to a user when the installed canisters 48 will be empty. Each canister 48 contains an amount of sunless tanning product for approximately ten spray application cycles. When only two tanning cycles remain, the LED button 32 is yellow. In a preferred embodiment, after the ten cycles have been used and new canisters 48 have been installed, a reset button must be pressed in order to reset the internal counter to ten spray application cycles before actuating another spray application cycle. , [0025] Referring to Figure 7, a diagram illustrating the operating process of the automated mist tanning apparatus 10 is shown, A rechargeable battery 54 in connection with power input port 28 (see Fig. 2) powers the apparatus 10. A controller 56 includes microprocessors for controlling the LED indicator, charging cycles, internal timers, voltage regulation, and operation of the solenoid 38. The 5 buzzer 58 provides the sound emitted from speaker 30 when the reset button 60 is depressed, when the LED button 32 is depressed, and at three second intervals during the spray application process. The LED indicator 32 indicates a powered and activated apparatus 10 with a blue light, a low battery status or a charging battery status with a red light, a fully charged battery with a green light, and two o remaining spray application cycles with a yellow light. A counter 62 keeps track of the number of spray applications for the purpose of indicating to a user when 7 the installed canisters 48 will be empty. A charge circuit 64 controls the input power for charging the battery 54. A charge timer 66 monitors the charge voltage so that the battery 56 has a constant charge voltage to prevent overcharging, A booster 68 chargeable to 45 volts DC is provided in connection with a booster 5 timer 70 for monitoring the charge time and the charge voltage to the booster 68. A trigger 72 activates the discharge of the 45 volts stored in the booster 68 which is directed to the solenoid 38, A fire timer 74 controls the length of time the apparatus 10 remains in a powered state. [0026] While the invention has been shown and described in accordance 0 with several preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure of the invention are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention and such changes, variations and modifications of the present invention are not to be limited except as recited in the following claims as interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalents, 5 [0027] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. 8