Abstract:
A massage device includes a body which contains motor and massage head, where installation mechanism is located between the body and the massage head and said head includes application surface and two massage wheels located along two initial parallel longitudinal axes, which are separated and extend partially outside the application surface. The massage head includes to cause the two wheels to rotate in synchronization and in opposite directions so that, when seen in perpendicular plane to the two axes with the wheels toward the bottom, section of wheel located on the left which extends past the application surface turns counterclockwise and section of wheel located on the right which extends past the application surface turns clockwise. A wheel spacing adjustment system is designed to initially create a minimum distance between the wheels then to adjust the distance to reach a position of equilibrium.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1261108 filed Nov. 22, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention concerns the domain of equipment for treating skin, in particular, on the face. The device in accordance with the invention allows, at a minimum, the skin to be massaged to improve its tone. A massage device in accordance with the invention may be used in households whose members wish to improve their appearance by changing, firming and rejuvenating their skin, in particular, on the face. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Skin massage equipment generally consists of a body with a motor and a massage head which includes massage elements designed to be activated by the motor through a transmission mechanism. Current prior art in this domain is known in patents or patent filings EP 0 666 071 A1, FR 2 589 726 A1, and EP 1 973 510 B1. 
     In document EP 0 666 071 A1, the massage device includes two elements in the shape of a paddle which turn in opposite directions to move said paddles which pucker the skin. In one variation, this massage device includes an soft wired element which forms a ring where the two extremities rotate in opposite directions, allowing the ringed section to pucker the skin. 
     In document FR 2 589 726 A1, the massage device includes two wheels located on the application surface along two parallel axes a short distance from one another. A transmission mechanism causes the two wheels to rotate in the same direction. A mechanism to change the separation of the wheels is located on the device along with a recall mechanism to move the wheels apart. When the massage device is used, the wheels in the initial position are separate and rotate in the same direction; one of the wheels seeks to work with the other wheel due to the separation adjustment mechanism and the effect on said wheel which is in contact with the skin, while the recall mechanism tries to return said wheel to a position separated from the other. 
     In document EP 1 973 510 B1, the massage device includes two wheels located on the application surface along parallel axes with the wheels separated from one another. The massage device includes a mechanism to control the wheels located to allow the first wheel to rotate in one direction and block the rotation of the first wheel in the other direction and vice versa for the second wheel. Accordingly, when the massage device is applied to the skin and moved in one direction, only the first wheel rotates in one direction, which puckers the skin and vice versa when said massage device is moved in the other direction, only the second wheel rotates in the opposite direction, which puckers the skin. 
     The purpose of the invention is to design a massage device to optimize how the skin is worked by puckering it to work facial skin and muscles more thoroughly, pleasantly and effectively compared to massage equipment of the prior art, all while avoiding unpleasant sensations during the application of the massage device to the skin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To this end, the invention concerns a massage device with a body which contains a motor and a massage head. Installation mechanisms are located between the body and the massage head. The head includes an application surface which is positioned parallel to the surface of the user&#39;s skin during use and two massage wheels which are located along two initial parallel longitudinal axes, with a gap between them, which partially extend beyond application surface. In accordance with the invention, the massage head includes a transmission mechanism designed to be driven by the motor to cause the two wheels to rotate in synchronization and in opposite directions so that, when seen in plane perpendicular to the two axes with the wheels toward the bottom, the section of the wheel on the left which extends past the application surface turns counterclockwise and the section of the wheel on the right which extends past the application surface rotates clockwise. Further, in accordance with the invention, the massage head includes a wheel spacing adjustment system which is triggered by the pressure placed on these wheels when they rotate which is designed to initially crate a minimum distance between the wheels and then to adjust the wheel spacing until an equilibrium of the pressure placed directly and/or indirectly on these wheels is reached. Accordingly, the characteristics of the massage device in accordance with the invention allow an initial position of the wheels to be determined with a minimum distance between them which, in combination with their opposite rotation as defined above, encourages the immediate, fortifying puckering of the skin when the massage device is applied, while the configuration of the adjustment system then allows the wheels to move apart under the pressure placed on the skin until an equilibrium is reached. This controls and limits the pinching efforts on the skin so that it is not painful, while adjusting to skin thickness, which varies depending on skin location, from person to person and user sensitivity. 
     The installation mechanism between the massage head and the body may be of various designs, from a massage head which is integrated completely with the body to a removable installation system between the massage head and the body. 
     In one preferred implementation of the massage device covered by the invention, the transmission mechanism includes two initial identical geared wheels which intermesh and which are located along second axes where said second axes are parallel to one another and to the two initial axes. One of said initial geared wheels is meshed with a motor to rotate. Further, this transmission mechanism includes two second identical geared wheels which mesh respectively with the two initial geared wheels where said second wheels are geared and located respectively along the first axes and driven by the wheels. 
     Of course, other variants of implementation of the transmission mechanism are possible. The gearing could be replaced by wheels or pulleys and belts placed to rotate the wheels in the desired direction. 
     In accordance with the massage device covered by the invention, the adjustment system includes a wheel support mechanism designed to allow wheel spacing to be increased or decreased depending on the pressure on said support mechanism in either direction. 
     In one preferred implementation of the massage device covered by the invention, the wheel support mechanism consists of two supports on which the wheels are respectively mounted using a pivot connection along the initial axes. Further, supports are shown respectively using a pivot connection on two shafts located respectively along the two second axes. 
     In accordance with the massage device covered by the invention, the adjustment system includes a recall mechanism designed to put pressure on the wheels to move them together below a skin resistance threshold when the massage device is applied. Beyond this threshold, the force of the springs is less than skin resistance and, therefore, the wheels separate. 
     In one preferred implementation of the massage device, these recall mechanism include springs located between the two supports or against the wall of the massage head to encourage the two wheels to move closer together. 
     In accordance with the massage device covered by the invention, it includes stops designed to limit the minimum distance between the two wheels when they are moved together by the recall mechanism. This limits the pressure on the skin when the massage device is initially applied. 
     The massage device covered by the invention includes a mechanism adjustment to adjust the position of the stops which is designed to modify the minimum distance between the wheels. That allows the massage device to be better adjusted depending on the user to prevent the puckering of the skin from becoming too intense when the massage device is initially applied. 
     In accordance with the massage device covered by the invention, the massage wheels are made of a material and in a shape designed to catch and work the skin without pain. 
     The massage device covered by the invention includes a wave emission system on the application surface. These waves may be electromagnetic waves, in particular light, visible or in the infrared range, or sonic, e.g., ultrasound. This also allows the user&#39;s skin to be worked in an additional manner. 
     In a planned example of implementation, these waves consist of red or orange light. The massage device covered by the invention includes a cosmetic product distribution system designed to distribute said cosmetic product on the massage wheels and/or directly on the user&#39;s skin. Depending on the configuration of the distribution system, the cosmetic product may be distributed naturally, manually and/or automatically. 
     That allows the skin to be treated using cosmetic products in additional to the wheels. 
     The massage device covered by the invention includes a vibration system designed to vibrate the massage head or only the wheels. 
     That further allows the skin to be worked and relaxed (a sensation of well-being) by applying light pressure on the skin in addition to the puckering by the wheels. 
     In accordance with the massage device covered by the invention, the installation mechanism between the body and the massage head is designed to connect, in a removable manner, the massage head to the body. This allows the massage head to be easily removed to be replaced by identical or different massage head. 
     The massage device covered by the invention includes a trans-dermal ionization treatment mechanism which is configured to transfer an electric current to the skin during the application of said massage device to increase and/or accelerate penetration of a cosmetic product which may either be distributed by the cosmetic product distribution system described above or applied directly to the skin by the user. Ionization is a process which was initially developed for the application of drugs to the skin, in particular for sports medicine, but is also appropriate to best insure penetration of cosmetic products. In one implementation, this trans-dermal ionization treatment mechanism includes two electrodes with different electrical potentials which may be installed on the massage nozzles or wheels and/or on the application surface of the massage head. The settings of the massage device in accordance with the invention allow, in particular when it also includes a products cosmetic distribution system, trans-dermal ionization treatment prior to and/or during the application of the cosmetic product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description highlights the characteristics and benefits of the massage device in accordance with the invention, which relies on diagrams, including: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one implementation of the massage device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  show two different positions of the massage wheels; 
         FIG. 4  shows the massage device of  FIG. 1  from above and the side; 
         FIG. 5  shows the transmission mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  diagram a cosmetic product distribution system on the massage device; 
         FIG. 8  diagrams a vibration system on the massage device; 
         FIG. 9  diagrams a removable installation mechanism between the massage head and the body; 
         FIG. 10  diagrams a trans-dermal ionization treatment mechanism on the massage device; 
         FIG. 11  diagrams a cosmetic product distribution system on the massage device; 
         FIG. 12  diagrams a wave emission system on the massage device; 
         FIG. 13  shows a variation of implementation of a transmission mechanism on a massage head; 
         FIGS. 14A-14C  show various wheel shapes. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , massage device  1  includes body  2  within which is located motor  3  which is electrically powered by a connection either to an external electrical source (an electrical outlet and low voltage transformer), or to an internal electrical source (rechargeable or disposable batteries). Massage device  1  also includes reduction gear  4  located on the output of motor  3  to reduce its rotation speed and adjust it to the type of use. Massage device  1  includes also massage head  5 . Body  2  and massage head  5  are constructed out of a single milled piece. However, in one implementation variation, there could be two separate removable pieces. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the massage head includes application surface  6  and two massage wheels  7  and  8  of which section  7   a  and  8   a  extend beyond application surface  6 . These wheels  7  and  8  are located on two parallel axes X 1  and X 2 . In accordance with this implementation, motor  4  includes drive train  9  which includes flat section  10  which is engaged in hole  11  located on shaft  12 . This shaft  12  is driven by geared wheel  13 . Therefore, motor  3  rotates geared wheel  13  along axis X 3 . This geared wheel  13  meshes with another identical geared wheel  14  which is located on axis X 4 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , massage head  1  includes two supports  15  and  16 . These supports  15  and  16  are shown using a pivot connection along axes X 3  and X 4 , respectively, using two shafts  17  and  18 . Using pivot connections along axes X 1  and X 2 , these supports accept wheels  7  and  8  using two shafts  19  and  20  mounted using a pivot connection on said supports  15  and  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the massage head includes two other identical geared wheels  21  and  22 . Geared wheel  21  is driven by wheel  8  through shaft  20  using, for example, flutings (not shown) located between these elements. Similarly, geared wheel  22  is driven by wheel  7  through shaft  19 . Geared wheel  21  meshes with geared wheel  13 . Similarly, geared wheel  22  meshes with geared wheel  14 . 
     Accordingly, when geared wheel  13  is driven by motor  3 , which turns in the direction of arrow  23 , geared wheel  14  turns in the direction of arrow  24 , which allows geared wheel  21  to turn in the direction of arrow  25  and geared wheel  22  to turn in the direction of arrow  26 . Accordingly, wheel  7  is driven in the direction of arrow  26  and wheel  8  in the direction of arrow  25 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , springs  27  are located between two supports  15  and  16 . In the initial position, these springs  27  press against supports  15  and  16  and hold them in position against extremities  28   a  and  29   a  with two adjustment screws  28  and  29  located on massage head  5 . Accordingly wheels  7  or  8  are separated from one another at a minimum distance in their initial position. Further, adjustment of screws  28  and  29  allows the minimum distance between these two wheels  7  and  8  to be modified. 
     When sections  7   a  and  8   a  of wheels  7  and  8  are applied to the skin, the opposite rotation directions of wheels  7  and  8  in the direction of arrows  26  and  27  puckers the skin. The pressure of the skin on these wheels when this pressure exceeds that of springs  27  allows these springs  27  to be compressed and moves the wheels in the direction of arrows  30  and  31  shown in  FIG. 3 . On the other hand, if the pressure of the skin on wheels  7  and  8  is less than the pressure of springs  27 , these springs  27  separate and move wheels  7  and  8  in the direction of arrows  32  and  33  as shown in  FIG. 2 , until a position of equilibrium is reached. 
     Variants of the implementation of the transmission mechanisms on massage head  5 , which work based on the same principle, are possible without falling outside the scope of the invention. In particular, the springs could be located between supports  15  and  16  and casing  5   a  of massage head  5  in which the transmission mechanism is located. These springs extend to move wheels  7  and  8  to an initial position with a minimum distance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , wheels  7  and  8  could also be driven by belt mechanism  34  and  35  and pulleys  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  driven by motor  3  to replace wheels geared  13 ,  14 ,  21  and  22 , which mesh with them. Similarly supports  15  and  16  could be replaced by guide system  40  of shafts  19  and  20  driven by wheels  7  and  8 . Recall spring  41  is also located between shafts  19  and  20  to move the wheels to a minimum distance. 
     Other characteristics are possible on massage device  1  covered by the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , massage device  1  includes shaft  42  which is rotated in the direction of axis X 5  by motor  3  using gearing system  43 , which known to those familiar with the art. Extremity  42   a  of this shaft  42  is located within massage head  5 , for example, on casing  5   a  or supports  15  and  16  and accepts counter equilibrium  44  which turns irregularly around axis X 5  and vibrates massage head  5  when massage device  1  is applied. Other vibration system variants are possible. 
     In particular, only wheels  7  and  8  could vibrate. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C , external section  7   b  and  8   b  of massage wheels  7  and  8  may take different shapes, e.g., fold  45  in  FIG. 14A , hook  46  in  FIG. 14B  and sprocket  47  in  FIG. 14C . Other forms are possible. Further, massage wheels  7  and  8  are made of a material such as elastomere which, in combination with these shapes, better catches the skin when massage device  1  is applied. 
     In one variation shown in  FIG. 12 , massage device  1  includes luminescent diodes  48  which are controlled by an electronic box (not shown) located within body  2  on application surface  6  on massage head  5 . These luminescent diodes  48  may be lit either automatically when massage head  5  is activated or individually using a separate control button (not shown). Luminescent diodes  48  could, for example, be located on peripheral edge  49  of application surface  186  or even distributed on said application surface  6  outside the range of motion of massage wheels  7  and  8 . Various colors of luminescent diodes could be used, depending on the wave length and/or treatment desired, or even a control box to change the wave length of these luminescent diodes  48 . 
     In one variation shown in  FIGS. 6, 7 and 11 , massage device  1  includes cosmetic product distribution system  50  which includes flexible product reservoir  51  on which barrette  52  pushes, which moves in the direction of arrow  53  along product reservoir  205 . A trigger system  54  moves barrette  52  in the direction of  53 . This trigger system  54  could, for example, consisting of button  55  which is part of barrette  52  which moves in the direction of this arrow  53  when manually triggered. Notched piece  56  holds notch  57  onto button  55  each time it is pressed to hold barrette  52  in position as it advances toward product reservoir  51 . Distribution system  50  includes tube  58  the location of which allows the cosmetic product to be distributed on application surface  6 , either between wheels  7  and  8  or through wheels  7  and  8 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Other variants of the cosmetic product distribution system are possible. 
     In particular, an automatic triggering system could allow the cosmetic product to be distributed continuously and evenly using, for example, a pump. A natural cosmetic product distribution system could also be used where the cosmetic product is distributed evenly using physical phenomena which do not require external action. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , variants in massage head  5  can be quickly installed and removed from body  2  could be envisioned. This would allow massage head  5  to be easily changed. In this regard, removable fixation system  59  between massage head  5  and body  2  could be envisioned. For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , body  2  could include notches  60  and  61  and massage head  5  include piece  62 , which accepts transmission mechanism  63  which moves massage wheels  7  and  8  is connected the shaft  9  of motor  3 . This piece  62  includes notches  64  and  65  of retraction mechanism  66  and  67  of notches  219  and  220  which allows them to be move into notches  60  and  61  and to also remove them from these notches  60  and  61 . 
     In one implementation variation shown in  FIG. 10 , massage device  1  includes two electrodes  68  and  69  which have different electrical potential. 
     These electrodes  68  and  69  could be located on massage wheels  7  and  8  or on application surface  6 . These electrodes  68  and  69  are powered by electrical source  70  located in body  2 . This design allows trans-dermal ionization treatment prior to or during the application of a cosmetic product on the skin, which allows of accelerate the penetration of the cosmetic product. This cosmetic product may be distributed naturally, manually or automatically by massage device  1 , or even applied directly on the skin by the user. 
     These additional aforementioned characteristics of the different implementation variants of massage device  1  could be implemented in combination with either transmission mechanisms on the massage head as described above, or even with other variants possible within the scope of the invention.