Abstract:
A massaging device which is designed to be applied to the skin of a person, and comprises an outer hollow case ( 1 ) which delimits a main suction chamber, the lower edge of which delimits an open surface for application on the skin, and elements for connecting the outer case ( 1 ) to a suction source. According to the invention, this massaging device comprises at least one inner case ( 20 ), which is disposed in the main suction chamber, which delimits a secondary suction chamber, and has a lower edge which delimits an open surface for application on the skin, elements ( 4,5,6 ) for displacement of the inner case ( 20 ) relative to the outer case ( 1 ), according to motion which is substantially parallel to the plane of the open surface for application of the outer case to the skin, and elements ( 23 ) for connection of the inner case ( 20 ) to a suction source.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an improved massaging device which is designed to be applied to the skin of a person, in order to form a fold of skin by suction. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Massaging devices of this type have been in common use for many years, in various fields such as rehabilitation, sports uses, for aesthetic purposes, and for getting back into shape etc. 
     These massaging devices comprise mainly a hollow case which delimits a suction chamber provided with an open lower surface, means for connection of this case to a suction source which can generate reduced pressure inside the suction chamber, and means for grasping the case, which can allow the latter to be displaced on the skin. 
     The operating principle of these massaging devices is as follows: the partial vacuum induced by the suction source sucks the skin inside the suction chamber, and leads to the formation of a fold of skin, which is rolled when the case is displaced on the body of the patient. 
     In addition, most of these massaging devices, as described in patents FR-2 579 100, FR-2 057 514, FR-2 612 395, FR-2723310, comprise two parallel inner rollers, which are accommodated inside the case, and can form a fold on the skin, the rollers being either associated with drive means to assist displacement of the case, or mounted such as to rotate freely, and disposed so that they can roll on the skin. 
     However, massaging devices of this type, which mostly make it possible to obtain a relatively efficient massaging action, have two major disadvantages. 
     In fact, firstly, the massaging action means that it is necessary to displace the massaging device continually on the skin, in order to reproduce the conventional massaging method known by physiotherapists as “palpate and roll”. Consequently, even with the aid of motor means to drive the rollers, which are seldom used in practice owing to the cost and size of the massaging devices thus equipped, the user must continually exert force which is designed to obtain this displacement. 
     In addition, because of their design, massaging devices of this type all involve problems of sealing of the suction chamber, which in practice means that almost systematically, firstly it is necessary to use a suction source with a corresponding level of power and size, and secondly, problems arise in controlling the reduced pressure value inside the suction chamber. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to eliminate these disadvantages, and its main objective is to provide a massaging device which makes it possible to obtain very efficient massaging action, without needing to be displaced on the skin. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide a massaging device which requires only a low suction rate, in order to obtain an adequate reduced pressure in the suction chamber. 
     For this purpose, the invention relates to a massaging device which is designed to be applied to the skin of a person, comprising: 
     a hollow case, known as the outer case, comprising a peripheral wall which delimits a suction chamber, known as the main suction chamber, and has a lower edge which delimits an open surface for application on the skin; and 
     means for connecting the outer case to a suction source which can generate reduced pressure in the main suction chamber. 
     According to the invention, this massaging device comprises: 
     at least one second hollow case, known as the inner case, with dimensions smaller than those of the outer case, which is disposed in the main suction chamber, the inner case comprising a peripheral wall which delimits a suction chamber, known as the secondary suction chamber, and has a lower edge which delimits an open surface for application on the skin; 
     means for displacement of each inner case relative to the outer case, according to motion which is substantially parallel to the plane of the open surface for application of the outer case to the skin; and 
     means for making each inner case communicate with a suction source which can generate reduced pressure in the secondary suction chamber. 
     By means of the combined action of the main massaging head and the secondary massaging head, in the respective suction chambers of which reduced pressure exists, a massaging device of this type makes it possible to form a fold of skin between the peripheral walls of the two cases. 
     In addition, the displacement of the secondary massaging head inside the main massaging head makes it possible to create a “moving wave”, which provides a massage with continually variable intensity, during which the skin is pinched between the peripheral walls of the massaging heads, resulting in an action of compression and “kneading” of the skin. 
     By means of this design, a massaging device of this type makes it possible to obtain very efficient massaging action, without needing to be displaced on the skin. In addition, the case of the main massaging chamber guarantees perfect sealing of the suction chamber when it is applied to the skin, such that the suction rate which is necessary in order to obtain the reduced pressure can be relatively low, and is perfectly controlled. 
     According to another characteristic of the invention, the respective lower edges of the outer case and of each inner case extend in substantially parallel planes. In addition, the lower edge of each inner case is preferably slightly recessed relative to the lower edge of the outer case. 
     According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for communication of each inner case with a suction source comprise at least one aperture which is provided in the upper wall of the inner case, in order to make the secondary suction chamber communicate with the main suction chamber of the outer case. 
     In addition, this massaging device preferably comprises a single inner case, and means for displacement of the inner case which are designed to displace the latter substantially parallel to the lower edge of the outer case. 
     Additionally, the lower edges of the inner case and of the outer case are preferably homothetic, and advantageously each have a symmetrical shape, such as circular. 
     According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for displacement of each inner case comprise: 
     a rotary shaft which is mounted on the outer case, such as to be able to pivot around an axis which is substantially at right-angles to the open surface of the outer case; 
     means for entrainment in rotation of the rotary shaft; and 
     a cam which is integral with the rotary shaft, comprising an eccentric axis which is substantially parallel to the rotary shaft, the inner case being mounted idly around the eccentric axis. 
     In addition, the means for entrainment in rotation of each rotary shaft are preferably designed to make the said rotary shaft rotate at a speed of rotation which is substantially between 30 rpm and 100 rpm. 
     According to another characteristic of the invention, each cam contains a bore which is centred on the eccentric axis, each inner case being supported by a shaft which is mounted idly in the bore. 
     In addition, the distance between centres of the rotary shaft and the eccentric axis is preferably substantially between 4 and 10 mm. This distance between centres can be fixed or variable, in order to adapt to the thickness of the skin. 
     According to another characteristic of the invention, each inner case is mounted on the cam in a removable manner, the massaging device comprising, for each of the inner cases, a set of at least two interchangeable inner cases, which have open surfaces with different dimensions, for application on the skin. 
     In addition, the outer case advantageously comprises an outlet tap which is mounted on the peripheral wall of the outer case, in order to regulate the reduced pressure in the main suction chamber. 
     It also comprises an air intake valve, which is normally closed by the action of resilient means, and is mounted on the peripheral wall of the outer case, in order to establish atmospheric pressure in the main suction chamber. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other characteristics, objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, provided with reference to the attached drawings, which represent by way of non-limiting example a preferred embodiment. In these drawings, which are an integral part of the present description: 
     FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section through an axial plane of a massaging device according to the invention, applied to the skin of a patient; 
     FIG. 2 is a view from beneath of this massaging device; 
     FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-section through a plane A, which represents the cam of this massaging device; 
     FIG. 4 a  is a partial longitudinal cross-section on an enlarged scale, of the upper wall of the outer case of this massaging device; 
     FIG. 4 b  is a longitudinal cross-section on an enlarged scale, of a male connector, for connection of this massaging device to a suction source and to a source of electric current; and 
     FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section through an axial plane of a massaging device having tow inner cases. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The massaging device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed to be applied to a part of the body to be treated, in order to carry out an action of massaging of this part of the body. 
     This massaging device firstly comprises a main massaging head, which consist of a hollow moulded case  1 , which has a generally cylindrical shape which forms a suction chamber, which is delimited by a cylindrical peripheral wall  2  and a circular upper wall  3 . 
     Mounted on the upper wall  3  of the case  1 , this massaging device additionally comprises an electric gear motor  4 , to rotate a drive shaft  5 , which extends axially in the suction chamber, through an axial aperture which is provided in the upper wall  3 . 
     The main massaging head also comprises a cam  6 , which is integral with the drive shaft  5 , and consists of a disc, through which there are provided longitudinally two eccentric bores  7 , 8 , which have a distance between centres of approximately 5 to 7 mm, i.e.: 
     a first bore  7  to accommodate the motor shaft  5  (with an o-ring seal interposed), into which there opens a radial bore, which accommodates a screw  9 , which renders the cam  6  integral with the motor shaft; and 
     a second bore  8 , to fit a secondary massaging head, which is described hereinafter. 
     This cam  6  additionally comprises a peripheral groove  10 , and a linear transverse slot  11 , which opens into the base of the groove and into the second bore  8 . 
     Finally, this cam is provided with a spring  12 , which consists of an open resilient steel ring, which is designed to be accommodated in the groove  10  and the slot  11  of the cam. 
     The main massaging head additionally comprises an outlet tap  13 , which is mounted on the upper wall  3  of the case  1 , and is provided with a knurled wheel  14 , which makes it possible to regulate manually the reduced pressure in the suction chamber. 
     In addition, this main massaging head comprises an air intake valve  50  of a conventional type, which is kept closed by a calibrated spring, and is mounted on the upper wall of the case  1 . A first function of a safety valve  50  of this type is to make it possible to establish atmospheric pressure in the suction chamber, in order to displace the massaging device, and to apply it to another area of the human body to be treated. It also constitutes a safety unit which can open, depending on the calibration of the spring, if the reduced pressure in the suction chamber exceeds a pre-determined value. 
     This main massaging head also comprises a connector  15 , to connect firstly the gear motor  4 , to a low-voltage electrical supply source, and secondly the suction chamber, to a suction source (shown in FIG.  5 ), such as an adjustable vacuum pump, which is timed or constant. 
     As shown in FIG. 4 a,  this connector  15  firstly comprises a tubular female connection  30 , which is made of an electrically conductive material, and is provided at its upper end with a collar  31 , which is supported on the cover  16  of the massaging device. This female connection  30 , which constitutes one of the poles of the connector  15 , additionally delimits an inner duct, with a frusto-conical shape which is splayed upwards. 
     This connector  15  additionally comprises a central cylindrical core  32 , which is made of an electrically conductive material, and is disposed axially in the female connection  30 , such as to extend firstly, to a partial height inside this connection  30 , from the base of the latter, and secondly, partially into the extension of this base. 
     A central core  32  of this type constitutes firstly the second pole of the connector  15 , and secondly a joining piece  33  for communication with a duct for connection to the suction source. 
     The lower section  34  of this central core  32  is additionally threaded, in order to make it possible to render the connector  15  integral with the main massaging head, by screwing the connector  15  into a threaded aperture which is provided in the upper wall  3  of the outer case  1 . 
     Finally, the connector  15  comprises a sleeve  35 , which is made of an electrically isolating material, is accommodated in the lower portion of the female connection  30 , and is designed to isolate the female connection and the central core  32  electrically, and to ensure that the central core is centred. 
     A connector  15  of this type, to which there are connected two electric wires  36 , 37  to supply the gear motor  4 , makes it possible to connect the massaging device, firstly to a suction source, and secondly to a source of electric current, by means of a single male connector  38  which has a matching shape, shown in FIG. 4 b.    
     This male connector  38  firstly comprises a tubular joining piece  39 , which has an outer frusto-conical shape, which matches that of the female connection  30  of the connector  15 , and is designed to fit into the latter. 
     In its extension, this tubular joining piece  39  comprises a cylindrical sleeve  40 , which is provided with outer, projecting circular catches such as  41 , which allow the sleeve to be fitted into, and rendered integral with, a tube  42  for connection to a suction source. 
     This tubular joining piece  39 , which is made of an electrically conductive material, constitutes one of the poles of the connector  38 , which is supplied by means of an electric wire  43 , which extends into the tube  42 , and is connected electrically inside the sleeve  40 . 
     This connector  38  also comprises a tubular central core  44  made of an electrically conductive material, which is disposed axially inside the joining piece  39 , such as to extend from the base of the latter. 
     This central core  44  has an inner bore, the lower section  45  of which, which has the larger diameter, is designed to accommodate the joining piece  33  of the connector  15 . 
     This central core  44 , which constitutes the second pole of the connector  38 , is supplied by means of an electric wire  46 , which extends into the tube  42 . 
     Lastly, the connector  38  comprises a sleeve  47  made of an electrically insulating material, which is disposed in the joining piece  39 , in the annular space of the latter which is delimited by the central core  44 . 
     Finally, this main massaging head comprises a cover  16  to protect the gear motor  4 , which is designed to be mounted on the upper wall  3  of the case  1 , and is assembled to the case by means of screws such as  17 . 
     This cover  16  additionally contains an aperture such as  18 , through which there extends the knurled wheel  14 , the connector  15  and the air intake valve  50 , as well as ventilation openings  19  for the gear motor  4 . 
     As depicted in FIG. 5, the massaging device according to the invention may additionally comprise a set of secondary massaging heads with different dimensions, each of which is designed to be disposed in the suction chamber of the main massaging head, and is connected in a removable manner to the cam  6 . 
     Each of these secondary massaging heads is in the form of a hollow case  20  with a cylindrical shape, which is made of flexible or rigid material, and forms a suction chamber which is delimited by a cylindrical peripheral wall  21 , and a circular upper wall  22 , which contains an axial opening, and an opening  23  for communication with the suction chamber of the outer case  1 . 
     Each of these secondary massaging heads is also rendered integral with a rivet  24 , the head of which is riveted to the upper wall  22  of the hollow case  20 , and the shaft of which, which extends at right-angles above the upper wall, through the axial opening provided in the latter, has a diameter which is designed to be introduced, and to be able to rotate, in the bore  8  of the cam  6 . 
     This shaft of the rivet  24  additionally comprises a peripheral groove  25 , which is disposed such as to accommodate an end portion of the spring  12 , for locking in translation and maintenance of the secondary massaging head, relative to the cam  6 . 
     By means of the combined action of the main massaging head and the secondary massaging head, when it is applied to the skin of a person, a massaging device of this type makes it possible to create a “radially moving annular wave” between the peripheral walls  2 ,  21  of the two cases  1 ,  20 , which leads to a very efficient massaging action of the corresponding area of the patient, giving rise to an effect of compression and “kneading” of the dermis. 
     In addition, the interchangeable nature of the secondary massaging heads makes it possible to provide each massaging head with a set of secondary massaging heads of different sizes, which are mounted on the main massaging head in succession, one after another in increasing order of size, such as to obtain a massaging action, the intensity of which increases progressively. 
     In addition, it should be noted that the lower edges of the peripheral walls  2 ,  21  of the cases  1 ,  20  can be either straight, as shown in FIGS.  1 , 2 , or they can have undulations, the effect of which is to make the skin undergo a pinching effect which has an alternative form, around the entire periphery of the cases. 
     In addition, these peripheral walls  2 ,  21  can be cylindrical, as shown in the figures, or they can have a slightly frusto-conical shape, with a cross-section which decreases downwards for the inner case  20 , and conversely, a cross-section which increases downwards for the outer case  1 , in order to facilitate the “release” of the fold of skin which is formed between the peripheral walls. 
     In addition, the reduced pressure inside the suction chambers can be kept constant, or it can be adjusted continuously or sequentially, in order to vary the amplitude of the massaging action. 
     In addition, the gear motor  4  can be integrated in the massaging device, as shown in the figures, or separated from the latter. The same applies to the suction source. 
     Finally, this massaging device can be used unaltered, for example by an individual. On the other hand for the purposes of professional use, in particular by physiotherapists, beauticians etc, it is preferable to use a “multiple head massage” massaging device, comprising a plurality of massaging devices as previously described, supplied by a single generator.