Abstract:
A cellulite massage system includes a body having a bottom surface, 
     means for producing suction to create a massage action at the bottom surface, and 
     a built-in gel dispenser in said body for dispensing gel to the bottom surface. The invention also provides a method for treating the appearance of cellulite including the steps of applying suction to an area of a body containing cellulite so as to massage that area, and applying gel to that area so as to improve the texture and look of skin on the treated area of the body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/199,619, filed Nov. 24, 1998; and a continuation-in-part of the co-pending design application entitled “CELLULITE MASSAGE SYSTEM”, filed Jun. 1, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a cellulite massage system with a gel dispenser which helps to improve the unsightly appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. Specifically, the invention uses vacuum therapy in conjunction with creme dispensing. That is, the present invention combines a massager means for producing suction such as a suction pump, and a built-in massage gel dispenser. 
     2. Background 
     Known methods and apparatuses for treating areas of the human body having cellulite only use rollers or balls to create the massaging action and do not use creme or a gel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,922 to Henderson relates to a method and apparatus for applying heat and a rolling massage pressure on the areas of the body having cellulite therein. A hand roller massage is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,078 to Rogers, Jr. that also can be used on cellulite. Henderson&#39;s apparatus employs of plurality of closely spaced heated balls, while the device of Rogers, Jr. uses rollers for the massaging action. Neither of these devices uses a creme or a gel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,404 to Vallis is directed to an applicator implement for massaging the body and for spreading lotion or creme over the body. The massager disclosed by Vallis has a series of wheels mounted on an axle, which are used to massage the body at the same time that lotion or creme is spread over portions of the body. While the spreading of a creme is disclosed as part of Vallis&#39; invention, Vallis specifically states that its invention does not have a dispenser associated with the applicator implement. Thus, even though Vallis discloses massaging of the body and the use of cremes, it does not disclose a device for dispensing the creme while massaging. 
     This invention differs from the prior art in that a different technology is used to massage areas of the human body containing cellulite that satisfies a void in the market regarding issues of cellulite. Further, the combination of suction or vacuum therapy and a gel dispenser improves the texture of the treated skin, as well as the look of the skin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In summary, the instant invention utilizes vacuum therapy in conjunction with a gel dispenser to improve the unsightly appearance of cellulite and stretch marks with the novel cellulite massage system with gel dispenser. 
     It is an object of the instant invention to employ means for producing suction such as a suction pump as the massaging, implement of the cellulite massage system. The vacuum therapy or suction treatment lifts the skin and breaks the cellulite up providing a more effective massage that improves the appearance of the body treated. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a gel dispenser in combination with a cellulite massage device. The combination of gel dispenser and cellulite massage system improves the texture and look of the skin after treatment. 
     Thus, the invention is a cellulite massage system that comprises a body having a bottom surface, means for producing suction to produce a massage action at the bottom surface, and a built-in gel dispenser in the body for dispensing gel to the bottom surface. 
     The invention also provides a method for treating the appearance of cellulite comprising the steps of applying suction to an area of a body containing cellulite so as to massage that area, and applying gel to that area so as to improve the texture and look of skin on the treated area of the body. 
     Further objectives and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is better understood by reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cellulite massage system with gel dispenser according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the cellulite massage system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 shows the interior of the base of the cellulite massage system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows the bottom surface of the cellulite massage system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a view of the top of the cellulite massage system according to the invention without the dispenser lid; 
     FIG. 6 shows the base of the cellulite massage system according to the invention with the mechanisms for the suction pump and gel dispenser; 
     FIG. 7 is an explosive view of the vacuum pump shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the vacuum gauge in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 shows the interior of the top of the cellulite massage system according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 10 shows the actuating member of the gel dispenser of the cellulite massage system according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. It is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Each reference cited here is incorporated by reference as if each were individually incorporated by reference. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a cellulite massage system  1  with a built-in gel dispenser according to the invention is shown. Cellulite massage system  1  is in the form of a body or housing which has a top  2  and a base  4  that can be two separate molded pieces. Top  2  has a handle  6  which is ergonomically designed so that one hand of a user can comfortably hold the cellulite massage system while applying the gel and massaging areas of the user&#39;s body where cellulite or stretch marks are present. 
     Handle  6  has a cover  8  that pivots on the handle to expose the gel tube  10  that is inserted in the base  4  of the cellulite massage system  1  for dispensing gel or creme while the cellulite massage system  1  treats an area of a user&#39;s body. Cover  8  preferably snaps shut over gel tube  10  to complete handle  6 . While a tube is shown as a preferred embodiment, any source of creme or a gel can be used in the instant invention. In a preferred embodiment, cover  8  pivots upward from the base so that a user of the cellulite massage system  1  can easily access gel tube  10  to add another creme or gel if the previously inserted gel tube is empty or if another type of creme is desired. 
     Cellulite massage system  1  preferably uses ordinary household current and thus, an electrical outlet  12  is provided in base  4  for receiving a plug to energize the cellulite massage system. To actuate the suction a user would turn on/off switch  14  into the ON position as shown in FIG. 2. A user would then push buttons  16  which are respectively located on either side of the upper end of handle  6  to dispense the desired amount of gel. The amount of suction can be regulated by turning knob  17  that preferably is located on top  2  of the cellulite massage system. In another embodiment, batteries may be used to power the cellulite massage system. This would enable users of the cellulite massage system  1  to massage their body when no household current is available or convenient. 
     The interior of base  4  without the electronics and mechanics is shown in FIG.  3 . Base  4  has a suction bowl  18 , which preferably is a recessed bowl with a rounded contour. A lower bottom portion  18   b  of suction bowl  18  is provided with a suction opening  18   o  to which a connector  19  is attached via tubes to a suction pump. In addition, a gel opening  20  is disposed slightly behind suction bowl  18  in base  4 . Gel opening  20  is connected to gel tube  10  via tubes and a dispenser as described below. 
     Base  4  is preferably molded to include an inset ridge  22  along the upper portion of the base. Cylindrical tubes  24  receive screws after top  2  is attached to base  4  to secure both parts of cellulite massage system  1 . Preferably, these tubes  24  are located at the front of base  4  so that when top  2  is attached, tubes  24  can be accessed when cover  8  is pivoted in the open position. Additionally, openings  26  on either side of the back of base  4  receive prongs attached to top  2  to further secure top  2  and base  4 . 
     Looking at FIG. 4, which shows the bottom surface of base  4 , it can be seen that the bottom surface includes a ridge  28  around an upper edge  18 u of suction bowl  18 . Ridge  28  is slight and, as such, is not obvious to the average viewer. However, if one&#39;s hand is moved flush against the bottom surface of base  4 , ridge  28  would be felt. This slight ridge  28  enables the vacuum to be created between suction bowl  18  and a user&#39;s body. In a preferred embodiment, ridge  28  may be two to three millimeters in height from the base. Gel opening  20  is located just behind ridge  28  is a groove or trough  30  that encircles approximately the front third of suction bowl  18 . Groove  30  keeps the gel in front of suction bowl  18  where the same is smoothed into the skin of a treated area by ridge  28 . Thus, the gel is dispensed to the skin before the skin is subjected to the vacuum therapy by suction bowl  18 . As a result of the built-in dispenser of the cellulite massage system according to the invention, a user&#39;s skin is made supple by the emollients of the gel or creme prior to the suction treatment and the gel or creme does not interfere with the creation of the vacuum. 
     The term “front” refers to direction of applying gel and/or treating an area of a body. “Front” means the portion of the cellulite massage system before the suction structure. 
     FIG. 5 shows top  2  of cellulite massage system  1  without the dispenser lid or cover  8 , on/off switch  14 , gel dispensing buttons  16 , and regulator knob  17 . Top  2  can be molded so that prongs  32  extend from the bottom of top  2 . Prongs  32  fit in openings  26  of base  4  to secure the two separate parts together. In addition, screw ears  34  are molded to top  2  for receiving screws that are tightened into tubes  24  of base  4 . Gel dispensing buttons  16  are received in grooves  36  of handle  6 . On/off switch  14  and regulator knob  17  are inserted through respective holes  38  in top  2 . 
     The mechanics of cellulite massage system  1  are shown in FIG. 6 where arrow  40  is directed to the gel dispensing mechanics and arrow  42  is directed to the suction pump mechanics. First, a preferred gel dispensing arrangement will be described. An opening of gel tube  10  is inserted in seal  44  so that gel can be dispensed to groove  30  of cellulite massage system  1 . A tube  45  extends from seal  44  to gel opening  20 . Seal  44  is preferably a vacuum seal that keeps dirt and air out of tube  45 . When gel dispensing buttons  16  are pushed, gel dispensing motor  46  is energized turning a shaft with screw threads  48 . Shaft  48  turns gears  50  causing an off-centered cylinder  52  to rotate over tube  45 . The off-centered nature of cylinder  52  pumps gel through tube  45  and into groove  30  when buttons  16  are pushed. 
     When on/off switch  14  is turned to the ON position, motor  54  of the suction pump is activated. Motor  54  has a shaft that is connected at a right angle to another shaft so that an off-centered cam is created. Thus, the rotation of the motor&#39;s shaft with this off-centered shaft results in an eccentric rotation at shaft  56  which is attached through a rubber boot  58  to a rod  60  of the vacuum pump as shown in FIG.  7 . The up-and-down motion of rod  60  in conjunction with diaphragm  61  causes a vacuum or suction to form in suction bowl  18 . Air is sucked from outside through tubing  62  creating a vacuum in suction bowl  18 . A one-way valve or vacuum gauge  64  does not allow air to escape from the pump. A preferred vacuum gauge is shown in FIG.  8 . The strength of the suction is regulated by knob  17  as described below with reference to FIG.  9 . 
     The left-hand tube  62   a  of FIG. 6 is the breathing tube. Breathing tube  62   a  is connected to a valve  66  that is actuated by regulator knob  17 . By turning regulator knob  17 , valve  66  is opened and closed thereby adjusting the strength of suction obtained by the vacuum pump of cellulite massage system  1 . 
     FIG. 10 shows the actuating member of the gel dispenser of the cellulite massage system. When buttons  16  are pushed, a circuit is closed energizing motor  46 . Thus, the actuating member is between buttons  16  of FIG.  10 . 
     The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified or varied, and elements added or omitted, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. For example, a vibrator and gel dispenser combination is one variation. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.