Patent Description:
A mask for applying electric stimulation to various muscles of a user's face is conventionally known.

A generic cosmetic mask is known from <CIT>.

For example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a cosmetic mask including a mask body section covering a face, the mask body section is made of silicon, have openings at positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and have an electrode section on an inner surface of the mask body.

Further, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a technique including elastic base material covering a face, the elastic base material made of silicon, have openings at positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and have a stimulation electrode section at location to which electric stimulation is applied, and states that the technique is effective for face lift-up.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a cosmetic device including an operation member covering a face. It is described that the operation member has a cover section made of silicon, a conductor in which an electrode is formed around the cheek, and openings at positions of eyes, the nose, and the mouth.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a treatment mask including a mask body covering a face, having openings at positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and having an electrode on an inner surface of the mask body. Further, it describes that the mask body is made of a silicone rubber material, and that the mask body deforms under its own weight to uniformly adhere to the skin.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a prior art partly by the applicant of the present application and a configuration of a cosmetic mask that is configured to be worn on the face of a user and cover at least the cheek, the cosmetic mask including a pair of stimulators that provides electric or ultrasonic stimulation to a location corresponding to at least one of the zygomatic muscle and the masseter muscle of the user, and a stimulator fitting section for fitting the stimulators on the positions of the cheeks, in which at least a part of the stimulators is detachably attached. In this literature, it is proposed to include left and right attachments to be attached while applying a tensile force to the left and right sides of the face for wearing the mask, and upper and lower attachments to be attached while applying a tensile force from the lower surface of the mandible bone to the top of the head through both sides of the face.

Other solutions are known from <CIT>, from <CIT> and from <CIT>.

According to the above-described conventional techniques, it is known that openings are provided at the positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and an electrode that electrically stimulates the cheek area is provided, but it is not conceived to correspond to the positions and characteristics of individual muscles. In particular, the electrodes on the cheek section are too large, and they may give inappropriate stimulation. Furthermore, inadequate elasticity of the mask failed to give appropriate tightening effect when worn, and masks having both wearability and a tightening effect have not been provided.

Although the technique of Patent Literature <NUM> attempts to solve these problems, fixation by the two attachments is slightly complicated, and face outline lift-up effect and the range of stimulation and strength thereof left a room for improvement.

In view of the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic mask that can be easily worn and removed and has an enhanced cosmetic effect, and an electric stimulator applicable to the cosmetic mask.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cosmetic mask according to the attached claims.

The cosmetic mask is formed as an abbreviated band that wraps around the occiput from the chin tip through the right and left cheeks, allowing the cosmetic mask to be applied easily in a single operation and precisely aligned with the prescribed location to be stimulated by fitting in the chin tip.

In the meantime, wrap-around section splits at the occiput and made detachable and attachable with a hook-and-loop fastener, allowing for single operation.

Configuring each width of the upper cheek section and the wrap-around section in lateral view to be all substantially equal to the width from the lower edge of the mouth periphery to the neck-side end of the mandible section from the lateral view of the face contributes to comfortable wearability as specific locations become pressure free and improves aesthetics of the appearance.

As described above, the present invention can provide a cosmetic mask that can be easily attached and detached, aesthetic, and has an enhanced cosmetic effect, and an electric stimulator applicable to the cosmetic mask.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples illustrated in the drawings. Note that the embodiments are not limited to the following.

A cosmetic mask of the present invention is a cosmetic mask which is configured to be worn on the face of a user, and to cover at least the cheeks. For example, the cosmetic mask is preferably made of a flexible elastic material such as silicon or natural rubber. In particular, silicon is optimal for use in contact with the skin and in terms of tightening strength, as it is widely used for medical purposes.

In the following examples, a stimulator including electrodes that electrically stimulates the zygomatic muscle and the masseter muscle is illustrated as the stimulator, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Although the configuration in which the electrical stimulation is applied as a zygomatic muscle stimulator or a masseter muscle stimulator has been described, ultrasonic stimulation can be applied as a cosmetic method as known, and ultrasonic waves may be used as the stimulator of the present invention. It may be configured to provide electrical stimulation and ultrasonic stimulation therapy.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a front view and a lateral view of a mask body (<NUM>) according to the present invention, respectively. The mask body (<NUM>) is integrally molded with silicon, and is formed in an elastic band shape to be wrapped around the occiput (B) from a chin tip (A) through left and right cheeks. The mask body (<NUM>) includes a mouth periphery (<NUM>) that covers a location corresponding to the user's mouth with an opening, a mandible section (<NUM>) that covers the chin and at least a part of a lower surface of the mandible, a cheek section (<NUM>) that covers a part of cheek, and a wrap-around section (<NUM>) that is wrapped around the lateral sides and the occiput.

The mouth periphery (<NUM>) with a predetermined width is an opening around the red lips and is formed to contact the skin around the periphery. In the present embodiment, the distance from the chin tip (A) to the lower edge of the opening is about <NUM> and the distance to the upper edge is about <NUM>. However, for better wearability of the mask body (<NUM>) and applying appropriate pressure on the skin, the distance to the lower edge is preferably in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, and to the upper edge is preferably in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Further, the nosepiece (<NUM>) may be formed in a three-dimensional form that conforms to the shape of the nose. By fitting the nosepiece (<NUM>) and the chin tip (A) to the face, the cosmetic mask can be easily centered when worn, the upper and lower parts fit the convex shape of the face at the front side of the face or the better fit of the mask.

When a nosepiece (<NUM>) is provided, a concave upper edge (<NUM>) is formed from the top edge of the nosepiece (<NUM>) to both sides to avoid the eyes, and extends to the wrap-around section (<NUM>) by forming a smooth curve.

The continuous shape from the nosepiece (<NUM>) to the upper edge (<NUM>) and the wrap-around section (<NUM>) improves aesthetics giving a neat impression and covers the lower half of the face widely, preventing slack and protrusion of the skin from the mask.

In the present invention, a configuration without a nosepiece (<NUM>) is feasible, and a configuration of a mask body (<NUM>) can be wrapped around the face from the chin tip(A) to the occiput.

When a part continuing to the cheek section (<NUM>) from the nosepiece (<NUM>) is removed, each of widths (L2) and (L3) of the cheek section (<NUM>) and the wrap-around section (<NUM>) in lateral view is substantially equal to a width (L1) from a lower edge (10a) of the opening in the mouth periphery (<NUM>) to a neck-side end (11a) of the mandible section in lateral view of the face.

According to the present configuration, the mask is less likely to be twisted or budge because the mask body (<NUM>) is pulled up straight from the mandible section (<NUM>) to the wrap-around section (<NUM>) via the cheek section (<NUM>), and its substantially equal width distributes pressure over the skin surface, that prevent skin wrinkle and bring a good cosmetic effect.

In the present embodiment, an ear section (<NUM>) corresponding to the ear also ensures ventilation with a plurality of small pores. Conventionally, a large opening is provided in the ear section that surrounds the ear was well-known, but a narrow section might get entangled in hair or press on the carotid artery. The configuration of the present invention has a sufficiently wide band shape that solves these issues.

In the mandible section (<NUM>), the distance from the chin tip (A) to the neck-side end (11a) of the mandible section is about <NUM>. In the present invention, mask body (<NUM>) is held firmly by the tensile force due to elasticity between the chin and the occiput, the mandible section (<NUM>) is in contact with a sufficient width, so that the user feels less pressure. From this viewpoint, the length of the location is preferably <NUM> or more.

In the present invention, the mask body (<NUM>) is configured to have an elastic band shape and be substantially straight, but preferably, the wrap-around section (<NUM>) may be slightly tilted forward from a center line passing through the mouth periphery (<NUM>), the mandible section (<NUM>), and the chin tip(A) of the cheek section (<NUM>).

In the present embodiment, an angle between a virtual line passing through the center of a stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) from the chin tip(A) and a virtual line passing through the center of the wrap-around section (<NUM>) in the width direction is about <NUM> degrees. By setting the angle to <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees as a suitable range, the position of the mask body (<NUM>) is appropriately attached so that it may be pulled up almost straight from the chin tip(A) and prevents the mask body (<NUM>) from sliding down from the occiput to the neck.

Further, the angle between the virtual line passing through the center of the wrap-around section (<NUM>) in the direction of width and the surface along the lower side of the mandible section (<NUM>) is <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, and preferably about <NUM> degrees.

A tab (<NUM>) can be provided at the end (11a) of the mandible section (<NUM>) on the neck side to pull it toward the neck to wear the cosmetic mask. The tab (<NUM>) is integrally molded and made of silicon, and to be folded frontward to form a bow shape as shown in the drawing. The users can hold the inner peripheral side by pinching it between the index and thumb, and pull it downward and toward the neck, and firmly fit the jaw into the chin tip section (A).

The upper end of the wrap-around section (<NUM>) is split at the top of the occiput and is fastened by a hook-and-loop fastener (<NUM>). Therefore, the user holds both left and right sides of the wrap-around section (<NUM>) and turns the wrap-around section (<NUM>) to the occiput, and fastens the hook-and-loop fasteners (<NUM>) holding it with an appropriate tensile force and wear the present cosmetic mask.

Note that the fastening mean is not limited to a hook-and-loop fastener, and may be a hook, a single-operation buckle, or the like. Further, the entire mask body (<NUM>) may be configured to form an annular shape and allow it to be fitted using its elastic stretchability.

The stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) for fitting a stimulator (<NUM>) is formed in the cheek section (<NUM>). The stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) includes an opening (18a) in which the stimulator (<NUM>) is fit by partially exposing the upper side of the stimulator (<NUM>) and an electrode fitting section (18b) formed to fit only on the skin contact surface.

The configuration of the stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) is not limited to have an opening as in the present embodiment, but it may be configured to have an engagement section that engages with the skin contact surface of the mask body (<NUM>).

<FIG>, and <FIG> are front view, back view, and cross-sectional view of the stimulator (<NUM>) according to the present invention. The stimulator (<NUM>) includes a current generator (<NUM>) provided with a power source and adjustment buttons (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) on the outer surface when the cosmetic mask is worn, and three electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) extending radially from the current generator.

The current generator (<NUM>) is a circle with a diameter of about <NUM> (suitable range: <NUM> to <NUM>), and the electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) are rounded rectangles with a width of about <NUM> (suitable range: <NUM> to <NUM>), a length of about <NUM>, and a length of a section in contact with the skin of about <NUM> (suitable range: <NUM> to <NUM>), respectively. The shape of the current generator (<NUM>) is not limited to substantial triangle, and may be any shape such as circle, oval, rectangular, and hexagonal. Further, the shape of the electrode sections may be any shape such as circular, oval, rectangular, and rhombic.

The stimulator (<NUM>) is configured to electrically stimulate, and includes, inside the current generator (<NUM>), a controller (not illustrated) that controls a current and power supply terminal (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) that can charge a rechargeable battery (not illustrated) and supply power. Comfortable and low-cost use is attained without using power cables or external battery, while it can be powered by an external power supply or battery.

The electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) made of conductive silicon, are electrically connected to an internal electrode (<NUM>) in the current generator (<NUM>) as shown in <FIG>, and galvanize the skin from the surface contacted with the skin. The electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) are flexible and fit the skin so that they can be spread when the stimulator (<NUM>) is pressed against the skin, and the virtual line (L4) between the electrode sections is similarly curved. Between the electrodes, consideration is also given to avoiding discomfort or heat when the current generator (<NUM>) made of a material such as hard plastic directly touches the user's skin because the surface of the current generator (<NUM>) that contacts the skin is set back from the virtual line (L4).

The zygomaticus muscles, including the major and minor zygomaticus muscles, which have the function of lifting slack cheeks and nasolabial folds, and in this embodiment, both areas are galvanized to obtain a training effect. Sagging corners of the mouth and loss of muscular strength due to aging, as well as nasolabial fold, double jaw, and sagging face outline, can be improved by training the zygomaticus muscles.

The masseter muscle is a muscle that controls the biting force, is prone to fatigue due to chewing and clenching of teeth. Further, if the masseter muscle is over-developed by bruxism, the user's face outline becomes unbalanced, like square-jawed. In the same way, if the electrical stimulation improperly trains masseter muscles, the face outline may be unbalanced as well, and brings an adverse cosmetic effect.

A low-frequency current and a medium-frequency current are applied to the locations between the electrode sections (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) corresponding to the zygomatic muscle and between the electrode sections (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) corresponding to the masseter muscle, respectively. Patent Literature <NUM> disclosed a prior art in which a configuration for EMS that applies a current of a frequency of <NUM> suitable for training muscles and a frequency of <NUM> suitable for relaxing muscles.

In the present embodiment, a function to apply a medium-frequency current of about <NUM> to provide muscle-relaxing treatment. A major difference in this embodiment from the prior art is that the electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) having a large area are adopted. The area of the electrode thereof is <NUM> times larger than that of Patent Literature <NUM>, and the electrode can provide more intense sensation even at a small output level. As a result, the configuration can bring adequate beauty effect while suppressing irritation on skin.

The areas of the electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) in contact with the skin surface are about <NUM> square mm each, and the area of a pair of the electrodes totals about <NUM> square mm. It is enlarged <NUM> times in the present invention while the area was about <NUM> square mm in the conventional configuration. By extending the electrode sections, sufficient area of the electrode sections is secured, and a preferable range is <NUM> square mm to <NUM> square mm per electrode section.

When subjects wear the cosmetic mask of the configuration according to the present invention, it is confirmed that the degree of facial muscle movement they felt increased by <NUM> time approximately, from <NUM> to <NUM> points when evaluated on a <NUM>-point scale. In the present invention, the electrode parts (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) are extended from the current generator (<NUM>) to ensure a sufficient contact area, thereby sufficiently improving the cosmetic effect.

Further, by extending the electrode sections (<NUM>) (<NUM>) (<NUM>) in a non-symmetrical shape, the installation orientation is restricted and mis-attachment does not occur. Conventionally, the electrodes were formed in a triangular shape to make it difficult to mistake the orientation, but the present invention makes it even more obvious and easy to use.

The first electrode section (<NUM>) and the second electrode section (<NUM>) form an angle of <NUM> degrees (preferable range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees), and the first electrode section (<NUM>) and the third electrode section (<NUM>) form an angle of <NUM> degrees (preferable range <NUM> to <NUM> degrees). These angles constitute electrode sections that provide adequate stimulation to both the masseter and zygomatic muscles.

As described above, the present invention includes the first electrode (<NUM>) that extends toward the temporomandibular joint, and the second electrode (<NUM>) that extends toward the opening of the mouth periphery, and the third electrode (<NUM>) extending toward the mandible when the mask is worn, but it may be configured to extend in any two directions. Further, the electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) may be configured to radially extend in multiple directions.

<FIG> shows an aspect of the stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) on the skin contact side. The stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) includes a current generator region (<NUM>) in which the current generator (<NUM>) is fitted and a part of the current generator (<NUM>) is exposed to the front surface, a first electrode region (<NUM>) in which the first electrode section (<NUM>) is fitted, a second electrode region (<NUM>) in which the second electrode section (<NUM>) is fitted, and a third electrode region (<NUM>) in which the third electrode section (<NUM>) is fitted.

The electrode regions (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) do not penetrate to the front surface, and the sides of the electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) are loosely fitted to the inner periphery. On the other hand, in the current generator region (<NUM>), a groove (<NUM>) is formed over the entire periphery of the inner periphery, and the outer periphery of the current generator (<NUM>) is fixed while being fitted into the groove (<NUM>).

The stimulator (<NUM>) can be removed from the stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) to recharge or rinse. When the electrode sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>), and (<NUM>) are totally removed, the mask body (<NUM>) made of mere silicon material-makes it easy to wash and maintain. At the same time, the manufacturing cost of the mask body (<NUM>) is reduced, replacement is easy.

Finally, in the present invention, silicon materials having different hardness are used for each location of the mask body (<NUM>). As illustrated in <FIG>, the location covering the lower half of the face, including the mouth periphery (<NUM>), the mandible section (<NUM>), the cheek section (<NUM>), and the nosepiece (<NUM>) have a first hardness, for example a hardness of <NUM> degrees to achieve both shape stability and conformity to the face.

Further, the region of the wrap-around section (<NUM>) that is stretched toward the occiput is set to a hardness lower than the first hardness, for example, <NUM> degrees. Being elastic, it can be wrapped around the occiput without deforming the part contacting with the face. Furthermore, the hook-and-loop fastener (<NUM>) section has a third hardness higher than the first and second hardness, e.g. <NUM> degrees, considering joining with the hook-and-loop fastener and making it easy to pull.

Such a distribution of hardness makes it possible to provide a cosmetic mask that is easy and comfortable to wear.

The present invention may provide the stimulator (<NUM>) as a stand-alone unit, that is equipped with two or more electrode sections radially extending from a current generator, and the current generator which comprises a control unit for controlling the current and a power supply section that supplies electricity.

The configuration of electrode sections extending radially from the current generator allows for sufficient distance between electrodes, and the area of each electrode can also be increased. Further, since the direction of radiation can be freely designed, an optimal arrangement is achieved in conform with the location of the target muscle.

Claim 1:
A cosmetic mask worn on the face of a user, made of a flexible elastic material, and formed in a substantial band shape to be wrapped around the occiput from a chin tip through right and left cheeks, the cosmetic mask comprising:
a mouth periphery (<NUM>) that covers at least a location corresponding to the mouth with an opening;
a mandible section (<NUM>) that covers the chin tip and at least a part of a lower surface of the mandible;
a cheek section (<NUM>) that covers a part of the cheek;
a wrap-around section (<NUM>) that is wrapped around the facial lateral sides and the occiput;
a pair of stimulators (<NUM>) that provides electric or ultrasound stimulation to a location corresponding to at least one of a zygomatic muscle and a masseter muscle of the user; and
a stimulator fitting section (<NUM>) that fits each stimulator (<NUM>) in the cheek section,
characterized in
that the stimulator (<NUM>) that provides electric stimulation includes a current generator (<NUM>) that generates an electric current and two or more electrode sections (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) radially extending from the current generator (<NUM>), and the current generator (<NUM>) includes a controller that controls a current and a power supply section that supplies electricity.