Massage device including at least two rotary annular lips and method using same

A massage device may include: at least one support; and one or more massage members rotatably mounted on the support. The or each massage member may include at least one pair of flexible lips. Each lip may extend about an axis of rotation of the massage member, may be configured to come into engagement with a region to be treated, and may be configured to flex when the device is applied to the region to be treated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non provisional application claims the benefit of French Application No. 05 53108 filed on Oct. 12, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/731,230 filed on Oct. 31, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to massage devices.

BACKGROUND

There exist applicators that comprise a rigid flat roller that is provided with spikes on the outside for massaging the face.

There also exist applicators that are formed by a handle and by a rigid disk, or by two rigid disks, that roll over the epidermis without creating tensioning action on the skin.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0020948 discloses a massage device comprising at least one massage member secured to a receptacle.

SUMMARY

Applicators with spikes are on the outside of a rigid roller not adapted to the local treatment of deep wrinkles, since they are relatively aggressive to the skin, and are often too bulky. Applicators that do not create tensioning action on the skin are not very effective for treating wrinkles or for activating microcirculation of the blood. Thus, there exists a need to benefit from a massage device that is not very aggressive to the skin, and/or that enables the epidermis to be treated in such a manner as to activate blood microcirculation and/or perform lymphatic drainage and/or fight against aging of the skin and/or encourage the penetration or action of active ingredients and/or obtain a relaxing action.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide a massage device comprising: at least one support; and one or more massage members rotatably mounted on the support, the or each massage member comprising at least one pair of flexible lips configured to come into engagement with the region to be treated, and being configured to flex when the device is applied to the region to be treated.

Each of the flexible lips may extend about the axis of rotation of the corresponding massage member.

A gap situated between the lips may be permanently in communication with the outside, including during use.

For example, the region to be treated may be the skin on the face or the body, or the scalp, or the hair.

When applied to the skin, the flexible lips may exert local tension on the skin. Rolling the flexible lips over the skin may makemay make it possible to displace the tension exerted on the skin.

may makeExemplary embodiments may make it possible to make a massage member for the face that may be capable of massaging the skin without leaving red marks, for example.

The pair of flexible lips may belong to a single massage member, and the flexible lips may be molded as a single part with the massage member. The lips may form between them an annular groove that does not create suction on being applied to the skin, unlike a suction pad. The two flexible lips need not be molded as a single part, and may belong to different massage members.

The massage member may include at least one pin portion that is molded together with the flexible lips. This may makemay make it possible to reduce the number of component parts of the massage device, where appropriate or desired.

The massage member may include a hub that is made of a material that is different from the material of the lips. Such a hub may makemay make it easier for the massage member to turn, where appropriate or desired.

The massage device may possibly include projecting elements between the lips, for example, a succession of spikes, which projecting elements may be made integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the flexible lips, where appropriate or desired. The projecting elements may generate vibration while being displaced in contact with the skin.

The flexible lips may flare apart from each other, going away from the axis of rotation, which may enable the lips to flex apart more easily while the massage member is being applied to and pressed against the skin.

The flexible lips may include an edge that is circular or otherwise, for example, polygonal, and may include an annular shape.

The flexible lips may include openings, which may increase flexibility thereof.

The flexible lips may include notches or teeth on an edge thereof.

The lips may define between them a groove that widens in a radial direction.

The flexible lips of the pair of flexible lips may be substantially symmetrical to each other about a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

The free edge of each flexible lip may optionally include axial symmetry about the axis of rotation.

At least one flexible lip may be off-center.

The distance, measured along the axis of rotation, between the free edges of the two flexible lips of the pair of flexible lips may lie in a range of 1 millimeter (mm) to 15 mm, for example, for example, lying in a range of 2 mm to 10 mm, for example.

A length of the flexible lips, measured between the free edge and a zone at which the lips connect with a remainder of the massage member, may lie in a range 3 mm to 15 mm, for example, for example, lying in a range 4 mm to 10 mm, for example.

A thickness of a flexible lip may be not greater than 1.5 mm, for example.

A material from which the flexible lips are made may contain a filler of magnetic particles, where appropriate or desired.

A maximum radius of a flexible lip may be not greater than 20 mm, for example.

The device may include at least one additional rotary massage member that may be configured to come into contact with the skin while the flexible lips are being deformed in contact with the skin.

The additional massage member may be mounted between branches of the support, with each branch supporting one of the massage members.

For example, the rotary member may be a roller disposed between the branches.

The roller may include portions in relief, making it possible to create a complementary massage action, for example, spikes or ribs that are angularly offset going from one end of the roller to the other.

The support may include a flat handle.

The device may include at least one slotted pin on which there is snap-fastened a rotary ring that carries a massage member. The pin may be fitted on the support.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide a method of massaging the skin using a device as defined above. The flexible lips may be applied to the skin, for example, on either side of a wrinkle, and the massage member(s) may be turned by being rolled over the skin.

Tension may be exerted by applying the massage device on either side of at least one wrinkle.

The massage device may be displaced along the wrinkle.

A composition may be deposited between the flexible lips prior to and/or during displacement of the massage member(s) over the skin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The massage device1illustrated inFIG. 1may comprise a massage member2that is capable of turning about an axis of rotation R relative to a support90, which may be elongate along a longitudinal axis X.

For example, the axes X and R may be substantially orthogonal.

The massage member2, illustrated in isolation inFIG. 2, may comprise a pair of flexible lips3and4configured to come into contact with the skin while the device1is being used.

The lips3and4may be connected to a central portion5, that may include an opening6passing therethrough, through which may pass a pin7including ends that are held by two branches8and9of the support3.

At rest, the lips3and4may flare apart from each other in the radial direction, such that when the massage member2is applied against the skin, and pressure is exerted by the massage member on the skin in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation R, the lips3and4may tend to exert an action of spreading out the epidermis, as illustrated inFIG. 3. This spreading action may be exerted on either side of a wrinkle F, for example, and may makemay make it possible to tighten the skin around the wrinkle.

For example, the device1may be displaced along the wrinkle F, with the lips3and4being applied to the skin on either side of the wrinkle.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the flexible lips3and4are made integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the central portion5by molding a plastics material, for example, an elastomer material.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the flexible lips3and4may also be made of a material that may be different from the central portion5, for example, by overmolding an elastomer material on the central portion5, the central portion being molded from a plastics material that is more rigid than the lips3and4. This may makemay make it easier for the massage member2to turn.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the central portion5may possibly be made with pin portions12of axis R, thereby avoiding the need for a pin7. The pin portions12may be received directly in housings in the branches8and9, where appropriate or desired.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the massage member2nay include a hub13that is made of a material that is different from the material from which the flexible lips3and4are made, for example, a plastics material that is more rigid.

The hub13may be fitted in the opening6of the central portion5, for example, being snap-fastened on the central portion.

The hub13may also be overmolded on the central portion5.

Where appropriate or desired, the hub13may comprise two parts14and15that may be assembled together, as illustrated inFIG. 6. This may make it possible, for example, to make the parts14and15with flanges16, seeking to stiffen the central portion5. The parts14and15may be assembled together by snap-fastening, for example, but maymay be fastened in some other way, for example, using adhesive or heat-sealing, amongst other things.

The flexible lips3and4may be made integrally, i.e., monolithically, by molding a plastics material, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 6, but it is contemplated that the flexible lips3and4may be two independent parts, as illustrated inFIG. 7.

For example, the lips3and4may belong to respective massage members17and18that include a shape that may be generally outwardly-concave, including an opening20passing therethrough, through which a pin may pass.

The concave sides of the massage members17and18may face away from each other, but maymay face each other in other exemplary embodiments that are not illustrated.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the massage member2may include projecting elements22between the flexible lips3and4.

For example, the projecting elements22may be disposed in a spaced-apart manner over a circumference of the central portion5, between the flexible lips3and4, as illustrated inFIG. 9.

A height of the projecting elements22, that may be in the form of spikes, for example, may be less than a height of the flexible lips3and4, such that the projecting elements22only come into contact with the skin after the flexible lips3and4have moved apart, as illustrated inFIG. 10.

In axial cross-section, the lips3and4may be substantially rectilinear over at least a fraction of their length, for example, a fraction of their length starting from their free edge30or31. The axial section of the lips3and4may also be curvilinear.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the projecting elements22may be made integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the flexible lips3and4by molding.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, the projecting elements22may be carried by a rotary part28that is interposed between the massage members17and18.

The flexible lips3and4may be symmetrical to each other about a mid-plane that is perpendicular to the axis R, for example, like the massage member illustrated inFIG. 2.

This maymay be otherwise, and it is possible, for example, to include flexible lips3and4that may be not symmetrical to each other about a mid-plane that is perpendicular to the axis R, as illustrated inFIG. 13.

For example, the flexible lip4may extend substantially in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis R, while the flexible lip3slopes relative to the axis R, going away from the lip4in the radial direction, for example.

When the flexible lips3and4are defined by different massage members17and18, they may also include different shapes, as illustrated inFIG. 14.

The flexible lips3and4may be made in some other way, so as to include different flexibilities.

For example, the flexible lip3may be made from a material that is thicker than the flexible lip4, so as to deform less easily, as illustrated inFIG. 15.

Each of the respective free edges30and31of the flexible lips3and4may be circular, for example. For example, the edges30and31may include the same radius or different radii. A maximum radius y, i.e., the distance to the axis R from the edge30or31, may be not greater than 20 mm, for example.

Each edge30or31may be contained in a plane, but this may be different. For example, the edge30or31may extend in an undulating manner on either side of a mid-plane that is perpendicular to the axis R, as illustrated inFIG. 17A.

The flexible lips3and4may include a length l, measured between the corresponding free edge30or31and the central portion5, that may be greater over at least a fraction of the circumference of the lip, for example, over the entire circumference, than the radius of the central portion5, as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The lengths l may be identical for each of the flexible lips3and4, or may be different.

The length l may vary in the circumferential direction, as illustrated inFIG. 16, in such a manner as to cause the distance d between the free edges30or31in the circumferential direction to vary, for example, and/or to cause the flexibility of the lips3and4in the circumferential direction to vary.

The length l may lie in a range of 3 mm to 15 mm, for example, or even 3 mm to 10 mm.

The distance e may lie in a range of 1 mm to 15 mm, for example, or even 1 mm to 6 mm.

For example, the thickness of a lip3or4may be not greater than 1.5 mm over at least half of its length, for example.

The free edge30or31may also include a non-circular shape, for example, an undulating shape, as illustrated inFIG. 17. An amplitude of the undulations in a measured radial direction may be not greater than 5.

The opening6may be off-center, as illustrated inFIG. 18.

The lips3and4may be connected together via at least one bridge of material40that is of limited angular extent, as illustrated inFIG. 19. The may make it possible to secure the lips and/or to stiffen the lips locally.

A plurality of identical or different massage members3may be rotatably mounted on a common support90, as illustrated inFIG. 20, for example, turning about a single axis of rotation R.

In other exemplary embodiments, at least two massage members2may be rotatably mounted about respective axes of rotation R′ and R″, forming an angle α between them, which angle may be less than 180°, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 21, or greater than 180°, as illustrated inFIG. 22. As illustrated inFIG. 22, the massage members2may include a V-shaped configuration that is upsidedown relative to the handle of the support90.

For example, the massage members2may be cantilevered on the respective pins, as illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 23.

For example, a massage member as illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 23may be fastened, as illustrated inFIG. 22, by a pin7including one end that is snap riveted in a housing50of a branch, and an opposite end that includes a wide slotted head51, enabling a retention sleeve53to be snap-fastened on the pin7. The retention sleeve may be provided with a collar54that may be used to hold the massage member2on the pin7. The pin may include a collar57that comes to bear against the corresponding branch.

The support90may include a generally curved shape, as illustrated inFIG. 24.

Over at least a fraction of their length, the branches may be preferably deformed in one or more directions as a function of their cross-section, which need not be circular.

The massage device illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 23advantageously may include branches8and9that may be flexible enough to be able to deform during use. This may make it easier for the massage device to match the shape of the region to be treated, for example. For example, at least one of the branches8and9may be elastically deformable, and may be deformed in any direction. Preferably, both branches may be elastically deformable.

The length of the branches may be not less than 40 mm, for example.

FIG. 25illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the massage members2are carried by respective pins7that are supported at both their ends by the support90, the support including an intermediate portion43that is situated between the massage members2.

At least one massage member2may also be secured to a receptacle60, as illustrated for example, inFIG. 26, for example, being present at one end of the receptacle, while the other end carries an applicator member61, for example, a tip or any other means for applying or dispensing a composition, such as a simple dispenser orifice, or a pump, or a ball held in a cage as with a roll-on dispenser, for example.

As illustrated inFIG. 27, one end of the receptacle60includes a dispenser orifice64that may be closed by a cap65.

The support90may be configured to be fastened on the receptacle60on the side remote from the dispenser orifice64. To this end, the receptacle60may include a portion in relief66, for example.

As illustrated inFIG. 28, the receptacle60may be fitted with a dispenser member67, such as a pump, for example, and the support90may be configured as a cap that is suitable for covering the dispenser member67while not in use.

As illustrated inFIG. 29, the support90may be configured to be fastened on the receptacle60, in such a manner as to cover the dispenser member67. The support may be also arranged in such a manner that the support itself may be covered by a protective cap70while the dispenser member is not in use.

As illustrated inFIG. 30, the massage member2may be secured to a receptacle that may be arranged to deliver a composition between the flexible lips, for example, by means of an endpiece100including an end opening between the lips, or in proximity of the lips.

The composition deposited in this way may be held by capillarity between the lips, where appropriate or desired.

Before treating a predefined region, a composition may be deposited between the lips, the composition coming from an independent receptacle.

For example, the composition used in association with a massage member may be a cosmetic or a skin care product, for example, an anti-wrinkle agent.

FIG. 31illustrates the possibility of including branches that include longitudinal axes that are not contained entirely in a single plane.

For example, the branches may include distal portions108and109that slope out from a plane containing proximal portions118and119. The distal portions may carry massage members.

FIGS. 32 and 33illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which the support90may include a handle91that is extended by two branches201and202that are connected together at their end remote from the handle91by an arcuate portion203.

The branches201and202may include extensions204and205that cooperate with the arcuate portion203to form forks in which two rotary massage members2are disposed.

Each of the rotary massage members may include a pair of lips that may be made as a single part by molding elastomer material. The lips may be carried by a hub210that includes ends that may be engaged in corresponding holes of the arcuate portion203and of the extensions204and205, as illustrated inFIG. 33.

The massage members2may turn about respective axes of rotation R′ and R″ that form between them an obtuse angle.

The extensions204and205may converge in a direction going away from the handle91.

The branches201and202may define between them a gap218that receives a roller211that may be rotatably mounted relative to the support90. The roller211may include a plurality of ribs214that may be spaced-apart along the axis of rotation Z of the roller, and that may define between them grooves220. Each rib214may include a generally square shape when observed along the axis Z. The tops of two adjacent ribs may be offset by 45°, for example.

As illustrated, the support90may be made from a relatively rigid plastics material, but it is contemplated that the material may be flexible.

Depending on the side of the device that is selected by the user for bringing the massage members2into contact with the skin, the roller211may or may not come into contact with the skin.

More particularly, when the user brings the convex side of the handle91to face the skin, the roller211may come into contact with the skin relatively easily. When the concave side of the handle faces the skin, it may be less easy for the roller211to come into contact with the skin.

The invention is not limited to a particular shape of massage member between the branches, and the roller211may, for example, include portions in relief including other shapes, for example, spikes.

FIG. 34illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the massage members2may be supported by slotted pins220that may be made integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the support90, or may be fitted on the support, for example, being snap-fastened, force-fitted, adhesively bonded, or heat-sealed in corresponding housings of the support.

The support90may include a central opening230, as illustrated.

Each massage member2may be mounted on a ring223that may be snap-fastened on the slotted pin220. On the side of the head224of the pin220, the ring223may include a collar226.

An axial dimension of the ring223may be greater than an axial dimension of the central portion233of the massage member, such that the face240of the massage member, situated on the side remote from the head224, does not come to bear against the collar244that is at the base of the slotted pin220.

A lip of the massage member may include notches250, as illustrated inFIG. 37.

The lip may also include openings251, as illustrated inFIG. 38, for example, a succession of radial slots.

The lip illustrated inFIG. 39may includes a non-circular edge, for example, an edge including a polygonal outline, for example, including more than four sides.

On its edge, the lip may include teeth255, as illustrated inFIG. 40.

Naturally, any shape of massage member illustrated inFIGS. 37 to 40may be used, regardless of the way in which the massage member2is mounted on the support.

In exemplary embodiments not illustrated, the massage members illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 36may be replaced by any one of the massage members illustrated inFIGS. 37 to 40.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and, for example, the characteristics of the various embodiments may be combined with one another within exemplarys that are not illustrated.

A single massage device may be used with different massage members selected from any of the massage members illustrated in the figures.

The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless specified to the contrary.