Patent Publication Number: US-6911010-B2

Title: Heated massager with massaging liquid dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to hand-held powered massagers, and specifically to such a massager which dispenses heat and a massaging liquid, in addition to preferably providing vibration as well. 
   A multitude of massaging devices can be found on the market. Conventional massagers typically provide heat and/or vibration as a massaging force. Such units are also known to be provided with controls to vary the amount of heat and/or massaging action to suit user requirements. 
   Aromatic and therapeutic massaging liquids, which include oils, lotions and creams, typically are applied by hand. This practice is messy, but provides a therapeutic benefit from the warmth and/or heat from the hand, which enhances the massaging and therapeutic benefits of the massaging liquid. 
   It has been found that when massaging liquid is preheated, the heat is rapidly dissipated over the skin surface, and thus provides few therapeutic benefits. If the temperature of the massaging liquid is increased, there is a risk of localized burning on the recipient&#39;s skin. However, until now, there have been no massagers which provide heat, massage and a fluid dispensing system in one compact hand-held unit. 
   A drawback of conventional heated and/or vibrating massagers is that when powered by a line cord, the cord is awkward and gets in the way of the massaging action. When such units are battery powered, they have a limited running time due to the power draw of the heater and/or the vibrator motor. 
   Another drawback of conventional hand-held massagers is that when a massaging liquid dispenser is used, there is a tendency to spill the liquid on the unit, which makes it difficult to securely hold. If the liquid seeps into the unit, internal damage may result. 
   Still another problem with conventional liquid dispensing massaging units is that there is no way to accurately dispense the massaging liquid upon the skin. The liquid is merely poured onto the skin or onto the massager&#39;s hand. Very often too much liquid is dispensed, which enhances the messiness of the unit described above. 
   Thus, a first object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand-held massager which emits heat and a massaging liquid, preferably in combination with vibration. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand-held massager which includes an easily removable massaging liquid reservoir which can be remotely filled to minimize spillage and/or seepage. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand-held massager with a manually controllable massaging liquid dispensing system for accurately dispensing desired amounts of massaging liquid. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved rechargeable battery-operated massager which provides heat, vibration, emitted massaging liquid, and which runs for about 40 minutes with a single battery charge. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand-held massager which features a built-in massaging fluid dispensing pump. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the present heated massager with massaging liquid dispenser. Preferably, the present massager is a hand-held device that simultaneously massages with varying heat and vibration settings or a combination thereof and applies a beneficial massaging liquid or fluid to the skin surface. While being particularly adapted for body usage, other suitable applications are contemplated. The present unit is preferably DC battery rechargeable with an external transformer, but other configurations are contemplated, including, but not restricted to line cord powered, non-rechargeable batteries, or other conventional appliance power sources. 
   Also featured on the present massager is a threaded removable bottle reservoir internal to the outer massager shell. The reservoir is accessible by removing a reservoir cover to replace or refill the bottle. To facilitate the removal and refilling of the reservoir, it is received in a pivoting mount which allows the reservoir to assume a generally vertical position upon the placement of the massager in a generally vertical position. 
   Another feature of the present massager is a finger-operated, manually rotated pump actuator wheel preferably located on the top center of the unit. Rotation of the actuator wheel dispenses the massaging fluid out the bottom of the device next to or adjacent the heated applicator pad. Depending on the viscosity or nature of the massaging fluid to be dispensed, the present pump unit will incorporate a different number of rotating roller lobes or different diameter of flexible hose to meter the desired fluid amount to the surface of the skin. 
   The present massager also utilizes a seal and vibration-damping gasket located between upper and lower portions of the outer shell to decrease vibration to the user&#39;s hand and also to detour liquid from entering the inside of the device. Still another feature of the present massager is that a lower portion of the device next to the heated applicator surface incorporates a pocket in which various massaging enhancement pads may be fastened or interchanged depending on the application and the device model. Further, the present massager is configured so that a single power unit powers the vibration motor and the heater, and if a rechargeable unit is provided, the running time of the unit is approximately 40 minutes per charge. 
   More specifically, the present invention provides a hand-held massager including a housing having a gripping portion and a body-contacting portion, the housing being configured for emitting a massaging liquid and the body-contacting portion being configured for emitting heat to a target surface. In a preferred embodiment, the massager also emits a vibration and the amount of vibration is variable, under user control, as is the amount of heat and the amount of emitted massaging liquid. A pivoting reservoir mount is located within the housing and is configured for retaining a supply of the massaging liquid and is pivotable between an operating position and a refill position. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention provides a hand-held massager including a housing having a gripping portion and a body-contacting portion, the housing being configured for emitting a massaging liquid and the body-contacting portion being configured for emitting heat to a target skin surface. The housing encloses a pump and a massage liquid reservoir. The pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and is provided with manual volume control of the dispensed massaging liquid. The body-contacting portion includes a heated applicator pad which is generally planar and fixed to the body-contacting portion. A vibration generator is disposed in the housing in operational proximity to the body-contacting portion, and a thumbwheel is associated with the housing for controlling the pump, the pump being disposed within a chamber defined by the thumbwheel. 
   In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a hand-held massager including a housing having a gripping portion and a body-contacting portion, the housing being configured for emitting a massaging liquid and the body-contacting portion being configured for emitting heat to a target skin surface. A pump is disposed within the housing for dispensing the massaging liquid, and a removable reservoir is in fluid communication with the pump. The reservoir is pivotably mounted to the massager between an operational position in which the reservoir is inclined relative to the body-contacting portion, and a refill position in which the body-contacting portion is placed in a generally vertical position and the reservoir is in a generally parallel position relative to the body-contacting portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a fragmentary side elevational view of the present massager; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the massager of  FIG. 1  shown in a generally vertical position with the reservoir cover removed; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the present massager; 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the heating element of the present massager; and 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the pump assembly and actuator wheel of the present massager. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present massager unit or device is generally designated  10 , and includes a housing, generally designated  12 . The housing  12 , which is preferably made of injection molded plastic, is conceivably made from any durable, rigid material, including metal, wood and/or suitable engineered materials. An upper portion of the housing  12  is referred to as a gripping portion  14 , and is preferably configured with an ergonomically “friendly” shape which is easily gripped and comfortably held for extended periods of time. If desired, gripping may be enhanced with textured surfaces and/or resilient pads (not shown) which are fastened or insert molded into the housing  12 . 
   A lower portion of the housing  12  is referred to as a body-contacting portion  16 , which, at its upper end  18  is provided with a resilient gasket  20  which sealingly engages a corresponding lower edge  22  of the gripping portion  14  to prevent the unwanted entry of massaging liquid. The sealing engagement is enhanced by the provision of a U-shaped groove in the upper portion of the gasket  20 . The gasket  20 , which extends substantially about the entire periphery of the engaging portions  14 ,  16  provides a shock isolation function described in further detail below. 
   A lower surface  24  of the body-contacting portion  16  is generally planar for providing as large a contacting surface as possible. The body-contacting portion  16  defines a tray for accommodating heating, vibrating and massaging liquid dispensing assemblies, as well as at least one rechargeable battery  26 . In the preferred embodiment, the battery  26  is a rechargeable DC 2,000 milliamp/hour (mah) type battery which is well-known in the art of hand-held appliances, and two such batteries are provided in the massager  10 , however, the number and power range of the batteries may vary to suit the application. An important feature of the present massager  10  is the run time of the unit in its heating and massaging modes. It has been found that the present massager  10 , equipped as described herein, will have a run time of approximately 40 minutes. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , an important feature of the present massager  10  is that the housing  12  is configured for emitting a massaging liquid, and also that the body-contacting portion  16  is configured for emitting heat to the target surface, typically skin. To that end, the lower surface  24  is provided with a heated applicator pad  28  having a generally planar contact surface  30  and a peripheral edge  32 . The exact configuration of the surface of the pad  28  is not critical as long as it is capable of emitting sufficient heat as is desired over a suitable portion of skin, in relation to the size of the unit  10 . 
   Also found on the lower surface  24  of the body-contacting portion  16  is a pocket  34  which is configured for receiving at least one massaging enhancement pad  36 . In the preferred embodiment, the massaging enhancement pad  36  has a massaging surface  38  taken from the group including a plurality of spaced, dome-like massaging nodules  40 , a plurality of fingers  42 , a smooth surface  44  and textured pads  46 . It is contemplated that the enhancement pad  36  is fastened within the pocket  34 , either permanently or replaceably, however replaceable attachment is preferred. The fastening is achieved by chemical adhesives, ultrasonic welding, threaded fasteners tightened from within the housing  12  and passing through an aperture  48  in the pocket  34  or vice versa, a friction fit between a depending lug on the pad  36  (not shown) and the aperture  48 . Other known attachment technologies are contemplated for securing the pad  36 . 
   Between the heated applicator pad  28  and the enhancement pad  36  on the body-contacting portion  16  is located at least one fluid outlet  50  for emitting the massaging liquid disposed in close proximity to the heated applicator pad  28 . In the preferred embodiment, there is one outlet  50  and one air vent aperture  52 , however the number and size of the outlet and the vent aperture may vary to suit the application. It is also preferred, to enhance the massaging action of the unit  10 , that the fluid outlet  50  is located adjacent the peripheral edge  32  of the heated applicator pad  28 , so that soon after the emission of the massaging liquid, the heated applicator pad will heat both the liquid and the underlying skin. The operational motion of the individual using the unit  10  is preferably a circular one, so that the precise directional location of the outlet  50  is not critical as long as it is close to, and preferably next to, the edge  32 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , another feature of the present massager  10  is that the massaging liquid, whether it is an oil or a lotion, is provided in a reservoir  54  which is removably secured to the massager. In the preferred embodiment, the reservoir  54  is a conventional threaded plastic bottle of the type in which massaging liquids are commonly sold. An advantage of the present reservoir  54  is that it is removably secured to the unit  10  to minimize spillage during refilling. This advantage is achieved by providing a pivoting reservoir mount, generally designated  56  located within the housing  12  and preferably taking the form of a threaded cap-like receptacle  58  which is freely pivotable upon a pair of spaced legs  60 . The receptacle  58  is internally threaded to threadably engage the reservoir  54 . Alternatives to threading, such as bayonet mounts, snap fits or the like are also contemplated for removably securing the reservoir  54  to the receptacle  58  depending on the application. 
   The receptacle  58  has a pair of laterally projecting lugs or stub shafts (not shown) which engage sockets (not shown) in each leg, while it is also contemplated that the arrangement could be reversed, as is well known in the manufacturing art. Each of the legs  60  is secured to a vibrator motor housing  62  which in turn is preferably integrally molded into, or otherwise fastened to, the body-contacting portion  16  of the housing  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the legs  60  are integrally molded to the motor housing  62 , however other known fastening technologies are contemplated as described above. Once installed in the receptacle  58 , the reservoir  54  is positioned on an incline, with a rear or bottom end  64  being lower than an upper or top end  66 . The inclination facilitates the escape of air from the reservoir  54  as the massaging liquid is withdrawn, as described in greater detail below. In addition, the angle of inclination of the reservoir  54  during normal use facilitates use of the massager  10  upon a person laying flat or sitting in a vertical position. 
   In the operational position, the bottom end  64  rests on a housing support wall  68 , and is held in place by a removable reservoir cover  70 , which is part of the gripping portion  14  of the housing  12  and is attached thereto with a friction fit or other suitable known latch or fastening technique. The reservoir cover  70  retains the reservoir  54  in position while the unit  10  is in use, even when vibrating. 
   The reservoir  54  is easily accessed by removing the reservoir cover  70 , and the refilling operation is accomplished by placing the unit  10  in a generally vertical position (best seen in FIG.  2 ). This position allows the reservoir  54  to freely pivot between an operating position ( FIG. 1 ) to a generally vertical refill position (FIG.  2 ), which permits it to be readily removed by unthreading, remotely refilled, and replaced without spilling the massaging liquid. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the heated applicator pad  28  is heated by a Printed Thick Film (PTF) pad  72  which is secured, as by adhesive or fasteners, to an underside  74  of the pad  28 , and is provided with a pair of leads  76 . PTF technology is well known in the art and such pads are widely available. The leads  76  are electrically connected to a printed circuit board  78  as is known in the art, to which is also connected a variable heat control switch  80 . In the preferred embodiment, the switch  80  is a three-position position switch with Off-Low-High settings for the amount of heat to be emitted. Other types of switches are contemplated depending on the application. 
   Above the switch  80  is another switch  82 , which is used to control the amount of vibrations emitted by the massager  10 . Like the switch  80 , the vibration control switch  82  is a three-position switch having Off-Low-High positions, and is connected to the circuit board  78 . The switch  82  is electrically connected to a vibration generator, which is preferably a vibrator motor  84  (shown hidden). In the preferred embodiment, the motor  84  is disposed within the motor housing  62  and is provided with at least one eccentric weight  86  (shown hidden) which is fixed to the rotating motor shaft (not shown) as is known in the art to provide a source of vibration. The vibrations thus produced are transmitted through the body-contacting portion  16  to the surface of the skin of the individual receiving the massage. 
   The gasket  20  described above, which seals the seam between the gripping portion  14  and the body-contacting portion  16 , and has an upper groove for receiving the lower edge  22  of the gripping portion, also partially isolates the body-contacting portion by dampening the vibrations generated by the motor  84 . The gasket  20  creates a resilient barrier between the two housing portions  14 ,  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the vibrator motor  84  is configured to operate in the approximate range of between 1,500 to 4,000 rpm, with a preferred High Speed in the range of 3,600 rpm. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , since, in the preferred embodiment  10 , the batteries  26  are rechargeable, a recharging socket  88  is provided to receive the transformer adapter (not shown). Once recharging commences, an LED  90  becomes illuminated. The switches  80 ,  82 , the charging socket  88 , the LED  90  and the batteries  26  are connected to the circuit board  78  using conventional circuitry and resistors as is well known in the art. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , another feature of the present massager  10  is that in the housing  12  a cavity  92  is defined in the gripping portion  14  for receiving a massaging liquid actuator wheel or thumbwheel  94 . The rotating actuator wheel  94  preferably has a textured exterior  96  and is the control mechanism for the amount of massaging liquid dispensed from the liquid outlet  50 . The preferably central location on the housing  12  means that the user may obtain effective massaging liquid control with either right or left hand. 
   A pump, generally designated  100 , is also provided for drawing the massaging liquid from the reservoir  54  and causing it to flow from the liquid outlet  50  in desired amounts. In the preferred embodiment, the pump  100  is under manual control, however powered pumps are also contemplated. Another feature of the present invention is that the pump  100  is located within a pump chamber  102  defined by the thumbwheel  94 . The pump chamber  102  is defined by a web  104  of the thumbwheel  94  and the exterior actuation surface  96 , which together provide a generally bowl shape to the pump chamber  102 . A keyway or slot  106  is axially located in the web  104 . A generally circular pump housing  108  is configured for disposition within the pump chamber  102 , has a main portion  110  and a disk  112 , both of which have axial openings  114 . The disk  112  is configured to be snap fit or otherwise secured to the main portion  110 , which also defines a flexible hose inlet/outlet  116 . In addition, the main portion  110  defines a raceway  118  for receiving a length of flexible tubing  120 , which is part of a long piece of tubing  122  leading from the reservoir  54 , out through an outlet  124  in the receptacle  58 , through the pump  100  and also being in fluid communication with the liquid outlet  50 . 
   A roller assembly  126  is dimensioned for enclosure in, and relative rotation to the pump housing  108 . The assembly  126  includes a pair of opposing circular plates  128 ,  130 , the former provided with at least two bushing axles  132 , and the latter with a corresponding number of bushing axle locator openings  134  dimensioned for receiving ends  136  of the axles  132 . A like plurality of tubular bushings  138  is provided, each of which being mounted for rotation upon a corresponding one of the axles  132 . The number of bushings  138  and axles  132  determines the output volume of the pump  100 . The raceway  118  is defined between the exterior of the bushings  138  and the interior of the pump housing  108 , and is dimensioned so that, upon rotational movement of the pump actuator wheel  94 , the bushings press into or squeeze the flexible tubing  120  against the inner wall of the pump housing to create a peristaltic pumping or squeezing action. A portion of the massaging liquid can be moved through the hose  122  by this peristaltic squeezing action. 
   An opposite side of the plate  130  has a key  140  configured for engaging the keyway/slot  106 , and an opposite side of the plate  128  is provided a boss  142  for matingly engaging the corresponding opening  114  in the disk  112  of the pump housing  108  for support. A lug  144  is provided on the disk  112  for engagement with the housing  12  in a way to prevent rotation of the pump housing  108 . On the other hand, the roller assembly  126  is rotatable with the actuator wheel  94 . 
   A vacuum is created behind each bushing  138 , which also serves to draw additional liquid from the reservoir  54 . To replace the withdrawn fluid with air, the reservoir  54  is provided with a flexible vent hose  146  ( FIG. 1 ) which is in fluid communication with the interior of the reservoir, the cap-like receptacle  58  and the air vent  52 . In the preferred embodiment, the vent hose  146  is made of the same flexible tubing material as is the flexible hose  122 , however it is contemplated that different materials may be used, since the former transports air, while the latter transports massaging liquid. 
   One end of the vent hose  146  is attached to and in communication with the cap-like receptacle  58 , as is the flexible  122 , which also is in communication with a corresponding opening in the receptacle. A third opening in the receptacle-cap  58  is used to connect a length of hose  148  which extends to the rear or bottom end  64  of the reservoir  54  to fully drain the reservoir. 
   In operation, pumping action is started by manually rotating the pump wheel  94  in one continuous direction. Through this rotation, a vacuum is induced within the flexible hose  122 , pulling fluid through the short curved tube  148 . The massaging fluid travels into the pivoting bottle cap-receptacle  58  and into the flexible hose  122 , ultimately into the length of tubing  120 , and into the pump  100 . As the pump  100  rotates, the roller bushings  138  positioned on the axles  132  come in contact with the flexible tubing  120  and compresses the flexible tubing in the raceway  118  against the pump housing  108 , creating a low pressure vacuum on an aft portion of system, towards the batteries  26 , and a high pressure, pushing motion on a forward portion of system, towards the switches  80 ,  82 . 
   As the roller assembly  126  rotates toward the inlet/outlet  116 , the fluid is pushed along at a closed off metered volume. The precise size of the metered volume is dependant upon the inner diameter of the flexible tubing  120  and length of inner flexible tubing between bushing compression points (bushings  138 ). As the rotating roller bushings  138  encounter the open area within the outer pump housing  108 , the compressed tubing  120  expands back into its original shape, releasing the metered volume, allowing the high pressure to push the fluid through the flexible hose  122 . The flexible hose  122  is attached to a boss (not shown) with an inner hole in communication with the outlet  50 , allowing the massaging liquid to be dispensed from the unit  10 . 
   During the pump operation, the air vent  52  provides a positive pressure vent to normal atmospheric pressure allowing the massaging fluid to dispense. The vent tube  146  is connected to a boss with an inner hole on pivoting bottle cap at the highest position available and is connected to the air vent  52  at the lowest possible position. This allows normal atmospheric pressure to travel through the vent tube  146  and vent the reservoir  54 . 
   Thus, it will be seen that the present massager  10  provides the capability of emitting heat and a massaging liquid, as well as vibration, from the same hand-held unit. By using the manual pump  100 , and the vibrator motor  84  generating vibrations in the range of 1500 to 4,000 rpm the present massager  10  can operate for 40 minutes with two 2,000 mah batteries  26 . Also, the type of fluid can easily be changed by placing the unit  10  in a vertical position, removing the reservoir and replacing it with another, or by cleaning it and replacing the fluid. If the reservoir is filled with isopropyl alcohol, the tubing  120 ,  122  can be flushed using the pump  100 . 
   While a particular embodiment of the heated massager has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.