Massage head with optimised drive for massage device and massage device provided with such a head

Abstract

The invention relates to a massage head (1), for a massage device (2), comprising a motor (14) and a means (16) for transmitting, to the head, a rotational movement of the motor (14) which comprises an output shaft (17) that rotates around an output axis (D-D'), the head comprising first and second massage rollers (8, 9) which extend along a first axis (B-B') and a second axis (C-C'), and a system (13) for rotating the massage rollers in counter-rotation around the first and second axes, comprising a bevel gear device for converting the rotation of the output shaft into a rotation of the massage rollers, the first and second axes being inscribed in a plane (Pi) secant to the output axis.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of massage heads for skin massage devices, in particular for domestic use, and massage devices equipped with such massage heads.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to a massage head for a massage apparatus comprising a motor and a transmission means for transmitting to the massage head a rotational movement of the motor. The present invention also relates to a massage apparatus comprising a massage head, a motor and a transmission means for transmitting a rotational movement of a shaft of the motor to the massage head. PRIOR TECHNIQUE

[0003] Skin massage devices intended to be held in the hand are already known, and which generally consist of a body equipped with a motor and a massage head which comprises massage rollers set in rotation by the motor, by means of a transmission mechanism. Typically, the massage head of these devices comprises a pair of massage rollers, the application of which to the skin allows, when they are set in rotation, to massage the latter. In particular, in the case of massage devices intended to allow the performance of a skin massage using a technique known as "palpate-roll" for example, the massage head of these devices is designed to ensure rotation of the massage rollers in opposite directions. While such known heads and massage devices are generally satisfactory, they nevertheless remain perfectible.Firstly, their implementation often proves to be complex and not very ergonomic, particularly by a person without specific professional skills in skin massage. Furthermore, known massage heads and devices sometimes encounter mechanical reliability problems, with a risk of breakage, in the event of significant forces being applied against the rollers during massage. In addition, known massage heads and devices do not always allow for a mechanical massage of the skin to be performed as effectively as desired. In addition, the massage performed using these known massage heads and devices can sometimes prove to be unpleasant or even painful, particularly when treating an area of ​​facial skin. Finally, known massage heads and devices are often relatively complex in design, which tends to make their manufacture expensive and negatively impacts their reliability and robustness in use.

[0004] For example, JP S50 8790 U discloses a massage head for a massager as described in the preamble of independent claim 1. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to propose a new massage head for a massage device, as well as a new massage device, the use of which is particularly practical, ergonomic and intuitive, in particular for use by a person lacking particular professional skills in skin massage.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to propose a new massage head for a massage device, as well as a new massage device, which allow the performance of an effective and pleasant massage of the skin.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a new massage head for a massage device, as well as a new massage device, which are particularly reliable and robust.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to propose a new massage head for a massage device, as well as a new massage device, the design of which is particularly simple.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to propose a new massage head for a massage device, as well as a new massage device, which have a particularly well-controlled size.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a novel massage head for a massage device, as well as a novel massage device, which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to propose a new massage head for a massage device, as well as a new massage device, the use of which is particularly safe.

[0012] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a massage head for a massage apparatus comprising a motor and a transmission means for transmitting to the massage head a rotational movement of the motor, said transmission means comprising an output shaft mounted for rotation about an output axis, said massage head comprising a first massage roller and a second massage roller, which are intended to come into contact with the skin of a user and extend longitudinally respectively along a first axis and a second axis, and a drive system for simultaneously driving said first and second massage rollers in rotation in a counter-rotating manner respectively along said first axis and said second axis, said drive system comprising an angle transmission device for transforming the rotational movement of the output shaft along the output axis into a rotational movement of the first and second massage rollers respectively along said first and second axes, said first and second axes being inscribed in a plane intersecting said output axis.

[0013] The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a massage apparatus comprising a massage head according to the invention, said apparatus comprising a motor and a transmission means for transmitting a rotational movement from the motor to the massage head, said transmission means comprising an output shaft mounted for rotation about an output axis. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear and emerge in more detail on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely as illustrative and non-limiting examples, among which: there figure 1 illustrates schematically, and in a perspective view, a preferred embodiment of a massage head according to the invention, the massage rollers being arranged in a position of minimal spacing; the figure 2illustrates schematically, and according to an exploded top view, the massage head of the figure 1 The half-shells of the housing forming the frame of the massage head and the second means of supporting the second massage roller are illustrated laterally offset so as to highlight a part of the system for driving the massage rollers in rotation; figure 3 illustrates schematically, and according to an exploded front view, the massage head of the Figures 1 and 2 The half-shells of the housing are moved laterally and the second support means is shifted vertically, so as to highlight a part of the rotational drive system of the massage rollers; figure 4 illustrates schematically, and according to a sectional view in a median plane identified by arrows at the figure 2 , the massage head of the figure 1 . An example of an internal casing element is shown very schematically; the Figure 5 illustrates schematically, and in a top view, the massage head of the figure 1 , the massage rollers being this time arranged in a position of maximum spacing; the figure 6 illustrates schematically, and in a side view, the massage head of the Figure 5 . A half-shell of the housing and the second means of supporting the second massage roller have been omitted; the figure 7 illustrates schematically, and in a side perspective view, the massage head of the Figure 5 , the half-shells of the housing and the second means of supporting the second massage roller having been omitted; the figure 8 illustrates schematically, and in a side view, the massage head of the figure 1 , removably attached to a working end of a main body forming a handle. The figure 8illustrates, as such, a preferred embodiment of a massage device in accordance with the invention; the figure 9 illustrates schematically, and according to a longitudinal median sectional view, the massage head and the massage device of the figure 8 ; there figure 10 illustrates schematically, and in a side view, the massage head and the massage device of the figure 8 , the massage rollers being arranged in a position of maximum spacing, as in figures 5 to 7 . WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] The invention relates, on the one hand, to a massage head 1 for a massage device 2, a preferred non-limiting embodiment of which is illustrated in figures 1 to 10 . The invention further relates to a massage device 2 comprising such a massage head 1, and one embodiment of which is illustrated for example in figures 8 to 10. In the following, the massage head 1 and the massage apparatus 2 according to the invention will be described in parallel for the sake of simplicity. For the purposes of the invention, these are head 1 and apparatus 2 for skin massage, intended to mechanically manipulate the skin, preferably of the face, preferably of a human user. Preferably, the head 1 and the massage apparatus 2 according to the invention are intended for use in a domestic setting by a person (or user) without particular professional skills in personal care and more specifically in skin massage. Their use is not particularly limited in terms of areas of the body that can be treated, although the massage head 1 according to the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 10 , as well as the massage device 2 illustrated in figures 8 to 10, are more preferably intended for massaging an area of ​​facial skin. Massage head 1 and device 2 are particularly intended for use on oneself, that is to say that the user of massage head 1 and device 2 is the beneficiary of the skin massage.

[0016] Advantageously, the massage device 2 concerned by the invention is a portable, manual device, that is to say intended to be held and used by hand, preferably by a person using the massage device 2 to massage their own skin. However, it is not excluded that the head 1 and the massage device 2 according to the invention can be used by a person to mechanically manipulate the skin of a third person, without departing from the scope of the invention. As illustrated in the example in figures 8 to 10, the massage device 2 preferably comprises a main body 3 forming a handle 4 (or grip) for manual gripping. The main body 3 preferably extends in a mean longitudinal extension direction A-A'. Advantageously elongated, the main body 3 thus extends mainly in a single direction of space, corresponding to the mean longitudinal extension direction A-A'. In this way, the handle 4 preferably has a slender, elongate shape, so that it can be grasped with the full hand by an adult user. Preferably, the main body 3 extends longitudinally, in said mean longitudinal extension direction A-A', between a first end 5, called the working end, at which the massage head 1 is fixed, arranged, or at least is intended to be fixed, and a second opposite end 6.Thus, when the massage head 1 is attached to the main body 3 of the massage device 2, the massage head 1 advantageously extends the main body 3 beyond the working end 5 of the latter. Preferably, the distance separating said first and second ends 5, 6, corresponding to the length of said main body 3, is sufficient to allow all the fingers of a user's hand to close on the handle 4. The main body 3 is for example of a generally tubular shape (with for example a circular or elliptical average section, constant or not), and is shaped and sized to ensure a good grip by the user.Said main body 3 may, for example, be formed of two half-shells 7A, 7B assembled together, preferably in a waterproof manner, so as to define on the one hand an outer surface forming a gripping area for the massage device 2 by the user and, on the other hand, an internal space within which various functional elements necessary for the proper functioning of the massage device 2 and, in particular, that of the massage head 1 may be housed. If such an elongated conformation of the main body 3 of the massage device 2 and such an arrangement of the massage head 1 at a working end 5 of said main body 3 promotes easy handling of the massage device 2 by a user, the invention is however not limited to these preferred conformations and arrangements and other conformations and arrangements may of course be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0017] The massage head 1 according to the invention comprises a first massage roller 8 and a second massage roller 9, which are intended to come into contact with the skin of a user in order to provide a mechanical massage of the skin. The first and second massage rollers 8, 9 extend longitudinally respectively along a first axis (or first direction) BB' and a second axis (or second direction) C-C', the first axis BB' forming an axis along which the first massage roller 8 is rotatably mounted, the second axis CC' respectively forming an axis along which the second massage roller 9 is rotatably mounted. Preferably, as in the embodiments of the massage head 1 and apparatus 2 illustrated in the figures, the first axis BB' of extension and rotation of the first massage roller 8 is substantially parallel to the second axis CC' of extension and rotation of the second massage roller 9.In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, each of the massage rollers 8, 9 has a substantially cylindrical general shape with a circular base so that, the first and second axes B-B', CC' being advantageously parallel, the space which separates the respective surfaces of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is constant along the first and second axes B-B', C-C'. However, it could prove advantageous, depending on the intended applications, for one and / or the other of said first and second massage rollers 8, 9 to have a different general shape, for example a convex or concave shape.Depending on the intended applications and skin areas to be treated, the surface (or external part) of the first and / or second massage rollers 8, 9 may have a substantially smooth appearance or, on the contrary, may have different shapes or structures, such as, for example, ridges, ridges, hooks, spikes, paddles or the like, in order to promote the grip of the skin by at least one of the massage rollers 8, 9. Furthermore, the first and / or second rollers 8, 9 (or at least the part of the latter which defines the surface or external part thereof) may be made of a substantially hard material devoid of elasticity, or, on the contrary, of a material having a certain elasticity (for example, elastomer) to promote the grip of the skin by at least one of the massage rollers 8, 9 and improve the comfort of use.

[0018] The massage head 1 advantageously comprises a frame 10 (or chassis), which preferably forms a housing 11, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. Such a housing 11 can then advantageously define at least a portion of the visible external envelope of the massage head 1. As illustrated in the figures, the housing 11 can for example be formed of two half-shells 12A, 12B (for example, made of plastic for reasons of cost and weight) assembled together by screwing, or by any other suitable means (for example, by gluing, welding, snap-fastening, etc.). Alternatively, the housing 11 could be formed of a single, monolithic shell. The frame 10 thus advantageously defines a fixed reference frame of the massage head 1, relative to which the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are therefore movable in rotation about their respective first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation.The massage head 1 also comprises a drive system 13 for simultaneously driving the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 in rotation respectively along said first axis BB' and said second axis CC' of extension and rotation. The drive system 13 is thus designed to actively transmit the rotational movement of a motor 14 simultaneously to the two massage rollers 8, 9 (thus forming an active drive system). In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the drive system 13 is housed within the housing 11 which here advantageously forms the frame 10. The massage head 1 advantageously comprises an application surface 15 intended to be positioned opposite (and preferably in contact with) the surface of the user's skin, the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 protruding at least partially outside (i.e. beyond) said application surface 15.

[0019] The massage device 2 concerned by the invention comprises a motor 14 (or motorization means), advantageously on board, and preferably housed within said main body 3 ( figure 9 ), and therefore outside the massage head 1. Preferably, it is an electric motor 14 (for example, a direct current motor, preferably servo-controlled). However, it could be a pneumatic type motorization means (for example, an air turbine) or other. The massage device 2 further comprises a transmission means 16 for transmitting to the massage head 1 a rotational movement of the motor 14, or more precisely a rotor of the motor 14 ( figure 9). In other words, said transmission means 16 is designed and configured to cooperate with the drive system 13 for rotating the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, so that the rotation of the motor 14 causes a corresponding rotation of said first and second massage rollers 8, 9. Advantageously housed at least partly inside the main body 3, the transmission means 16 comprises in particular an output shaft 17, which is mounted for rotation about an output axis DD' and by means of which the transmission means 16 is connected (or is at least capable of being connected) mechanically to the drive system 13 for the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 of the massage head 1 to ensure the rotation of the latter ( figure 9). Optionally, the transmission means 16 may comprise a geared motor to adapt the rotation speed of the output shaft 17 to the usage requirement. The massage device 2 may further optionally comprise a control unit (electromechanical or electronic) for the general operation of the massage device 2 by means of which the user can start / stop the massage device 2, adjust the general operating mode or adjust certain specific parameters (for example, the rotation speed of the massage rollers 8, 9, the direction of rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9, etc.). As illustrated in figures 8 And 10, the control unit can advantageously be arranged in the main body 3 of the massage device 2 and be accessible to the user via a control panel 18. The massage device 2 can also optionally comprise an electrical power supply unit 19. The latter can, for example, comprise a battery of replaceable or rechargeable electrical accumulators arranged within the main body 3 of the massage device 2 to allow autonomous, nomadic use of the latter, or comprise an electrical transformer, on-board or not, and intended to be connected to a conventional electrical outlet via an external power cord (not shown).

[0020] In the preferred case where the main body 3 of the massage device 2 extends along said mean longitudinal extension direction A-A', between said working end 5 at which the massage head 1 is fixed or intended to be fixed and said opposite second end 6, the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 of the transmission means 16 is then advantageously arranged so that the mean longitudinal extension direction AA' of the main body 3 of the massage device 2 is parallel to, or coincident with, said output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 ( figures 8 to 10 ). This makes it possible in particular to simplify the design of the massage device 2 and to control its size.

[0021] According to one variant (so-called "irremovable" variant, not illustrated), the main body 3 and the massage head 1 of the massage device 2 are integral with each other, so that the massage head 1 cannot, in normal use, be separated from said main body 3 by the user. According to another more advantageous variant (so-called "removable" variant), retained in the embodiments illustrated as examples in the figures, the massage head 1 is removable, detachable from the main body 3. The massage device 2 then comprises removable fixing means (or coupling means) for fixing the massage head 1 to said main body 3, for example by fitting complementary reliefs respectively carried by the massage head 1 and the main body 3, or by screwing, by force fitting or by any other suitable known fixing technique.Advantageously comprising first fixing means 20 (for example, hooks provided in the housing 11) intended to cooperate reversibly with corresponding second fixing means 21 (for example, pivoting bead levers, mounted on a spring and controlled by buttons projecting from the main body 3) with which the main body 3 is respectively provided, the massage head 1 is then removable, and can thus be temporarily assembled to the main body 3, then subsequently separated from the main body 3 by the user, for example for the purposes of maintenance and / or replacement of the massage head 1. Advantageously, the massage device 2 can thus constitute a device 2 with an interchangeable massage head 1.Preferably, the main body 3 of the massage device 2 defines a housing 22 shaped and configured to receive the massage head 1 in a removable manner, and thus fix the latter to the main body 3 in a reversible, temporary manner. As in the embodiment illustrated in . figures 8 to 10 , said housing 22 is advantageously defined at the level of the working end 5 of the main body 3, so that the massage head 2 can thus be assembled, fixed, to the main body 3 in the vicinity of said working end 5 of the latter. Said housing 22 is thus advantageously delimited by a side wall 23 which defines a free space within which at least one fixing portion 24 of the massage head 1 can be received.

[0022] Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, the massage head 1 (or at least the frame 10 / housing 11 of the latter) extends in the mean direction of extension EE' between a proximal end 25, at which the massage head 1 is fixed (irremovable variant) or is intended to be fixed (removable variant) to the main body 3 of the massage device 2, and an opposite distal end 26, at or beyond which the application surface 15 of the massage head 1 is positioned against the skin. Thus, when the massage head 1 is attached to the main body 3 of the massage device 2 and the latter is held in the hand by the user, the proximal end 25 of the massage head 1 is closest to the user's hand and furthest from the user's skin area to be massaged, while the distal end 26 is furthest from the user's hand and closest to the user's skin area to be massaged.Advantageously, when the massage head 1 is fixed to the main body 3 of the massage device 2, at the working end 5 of said main body 3, the average direction of extension EE' of the massage head 1 is parallel to, or coincident with, the average direction of longitudinal extension AA' of the main body 3 (. figures 8 to 10 ). More advantageously still, as illustrated by example in the figures, when the massage head 1 is fixed (permanently or temporarily) to the main body 3 of the massage device 2, at the working end 5 of said main body 3, the average direction of extension EE' of the massage head 1 is parallel to, or coincides with, on the one hand the average direction of longitudinal extension AA' of the main body 3 and, on the other hand, the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 of the means 16 for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor 14 to the massage head 1 ( figures 8 to 10 ).

[0023] The drive system 13 of the massage head 1 is more specifically designed to simultaneously drive the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 in rotation in a counter-rotating manner. In other words, the drive system 13 is provided to ensure the simultaneous rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, respectively along the first axis BB' of rotation and the second axis CC' of rotation, in opposite directions of rotation, that is to say reversed, advantageously at the same speed of rotation. The drive system 13 advantageously prevents said first and second rollers 8, 9 from rotating in the same direction, as well as from rotating freely along their respective axis B-B', CC' of extension and rotation.According to a first variant, the drive system 13 is designed to rotate the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 so that, in a plan view perpendicular to the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation with the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 arranged at the top, the part of the massage roller located on the left which protrudes from the application surface 15 rotates in the anti-trigonometric (or clockwise) direction, while the part of the massage roller located on the right which protrudes from the application surface 15 rotates in the trigonometric (or counterclockwise) direction. In this way, in use of the massage head 1, when the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are positioned in contact with the skin, their rotational movement causes a wrinkling effect of the skin between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9.The massage head 1 can then advantageously be used to implement the so-called “massage” technique. palpate-roll» which allows in particular the activation of venous and lymphatic circulation and the softening of the skin, by stimulation of the fibroblasts and acceleration of the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, by kneading the skin. According to a second variant, the drive system 13 is designed to drive said first and second massage rollers 8, 9 in rotation so that, in a plan view perpendicular to the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation with the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 arranged at the top, the part of the massage roller located on the left which protrudes from the application surface 15 rotates in the trigonometric direction (or counterclockwise), while the part of the massage roller located on the right which protrudes from the application surface 15 rotates in the anti-trigonometric direction (or clockwise).In this way, in use of the massage head 1, when the massage rollers 8, 9 are positioned in contact with the skin, their rotational movement causes a stretching effect (“. stretching ") of the skin. It is also conceivable that, according to a third variant, the drive system 13 is designed to drive said first and second massage rollers 8, 9 in rotation alternately according to the first (folding) and second (stretching) variants above, according to the choice of the user (for example, by action of the latter on the control panel 18). Advantageously, whatever the direction of counter-rotating rotation envisaged, the drive system 13 of the massage rollers 8, 9 is designed and configured to drive the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 in rotation, respectively according to the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation, at identical rotation speeds.

[0024] According to the invention, the first and second axes B-B', CC' of extension and rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are inscribed in a plane P 1 which is intersecting with the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 of the means 16 for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor 14 to the massage head 1, when the massage head 1 is fixed (either permanently or temporarily) to the main body 3 to form the massage apparatus 2 ( figures 8 to 10). The drive system 13 for rotating the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 comprises, in return, an angle transmission device for transforming the rotational movement of the output shaft 17 along the output axis DD' into a rotational movement of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 respectively along the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation. In other words, the drive system 13 is therefore designed and configured to transform, by means of said angle transmission device, an input rotational movement of the massage head 1, along an input rotational axis which intersects the plane P 1 in which the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are inscribed, into a rotational movement of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 respectively along the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation.When the massage head 1 is fixed to the main body 3 of the massage device 2, either permanently by construction (“irremovable” variant) or temporarily (“removable” variant), said axis of rotation at the input of the massage head 1 is advantageously coincident, colinear, with the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 of the means for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor 14 to the massage head 1. Advantageously, said axis of rotation at the input of the massage head 1 is then parallel to, or coincident with, the average direction of extension EE' of the massage head 1 between its proximal 25 and distal 26 ends (. figures 8 to 10). Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, the massage head 1 and the massage device 2 equipped therewith are particularly simple, ergonomic and intuitive to use for the user. In particular in the case where the main body 3, forming the handle 4 of the massage device 2, extends in said mean longitudinal extension direction AA' between said working end 5 at which the massage head 1 is fixed and said opposite second end 6, the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 of the transmission means 16 being parallel to, or coincident with, said mean longitudinal extension direction AA' of the main body 3, the massage head 1 can then define a plane P 2 of application (or contact plane) of the massage rollers 8, 9 against the skin which is ideally oriented relative to the general conformation of the massage device 2 and its grip.By grasping the handle 4 of the massage device 2 with one hand, the user can thus simply, intuitively and ergonomically hold the massage rollers 8, 9 against the area of ​​the skin to be massaged, the wrist of the hand holding the handle remaining naturally aligned in line with the corresponding arm.

[0025] In order to further improve the ergonomics and practicality of use of the massage head 1 and of the massage device 2 equipped therewith, it is advantageous to further provide that, the first axis BB' of extension and rotation of the first massage roller 8 being parallel to the second axis CC' of extension and rotation of the second massage roller 9, the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 of the means 16 for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor 14 to the massage head 1 is orthogonal to said first and second axes B-B', CC' of extension and rotation.In other words, the massage head 1 is in this case on the one hand advantageously designed and configured, as previously envisaged, so that the first and second axes B-B', CC' of extension and rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are parallel to each other and, on the other hand, advantageously designed and configured so that, the massage head 1 being fixed (permanently or temporarily) to the main body 3 of the massage apparatus 2, the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 is then orthogonal to the first and second axes B-B'-CC' of extension and rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9.

[0026] Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the massage head 1 further comprises an adjustment system for adjusting a relative spacing of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, i.e. for modifying their relative position, in response to an external force exerted against at least one of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 by the user's skin during the rotation of said massage roller(s) 8, 9 (against which said force is therefore exerted), between a minimum spacing E min ( figures 1 to 4 , 8 And 9 ) and a maximum spacing E max ( figures 5 to 7 And 10 ) of said first and second massage rollers 8, 9. By " spacing » ,here we mean the space, the distance, separating the respective surfaces of the massage rollers 8, 9. In other words, when the massage head 1 is in operation, and the first and second rollers 8, 9 are driven in counter-rotational rotation by the drive system 13 of the massage head 1 and are brought into contact with the user's skin, the system for adjusting the relative spacing (i.e. the relative position) of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is therefore capable of modifying the spacing of the latter relative to each other as a function of the intensity of the external force exerted against at least one of the massage rollers 8, 9 by the user's skin, which force generally tends to separate, move apart, the massage rollers 8, 9 from each other. In this case, this effort results in particular from the reaction of the skin to the effort of applying the massage head 1 to the skin by the user.The distance between the massage rollers 8, 9 can thus increase depending on the intensity of the force exerted by the skin. This results in the definition of a variable working area of ​​the skin, the extent of which is defined by the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9 depending on the external force exerted against at least one of the massage rollers 8, 9 by the user's skin. Such an adjustment thus allows perfect adaptation of the massage head 1 to the area of ​​the user's skin being treated, thus ensuring a massage that is both effective and pleasant (by limiting the risk of local pain linked to the action of the massage rollers 8, 9) of the skin.In particular, the risk of pinching the skin between the first and second rollers 8, 9, which could possibly be encountered with the massage heads of the prior art, is remarkably limited (not to say eliminated) thanks to said system for adjusting the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9.

[0027] The massage head 1 advantageously comprising, as already envisaged above, a frame 10 relative to which the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are mounted to rotate respectively along said first and second axes B-B', CC' of extension and rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9, such an adjustment system may optionally be designed and configured to allow a movement (simultaneous or not) of each of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 relative to the frame 10, in response to an external force exerted against them.In this case, the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 may optionally be designed and configured to allow a displacement of the first axis BB' of rotation of the first massage roller 8 and a displacement of the second axis CC' of rotation of the second massage roller 9, therefore in response to an external force exerted against at least one of the massage rollers 8, 9, between - a first relative position of the first and second axes B-B', CC' defining said minimum spacing E min between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, - and a second relative position of the first and second axes B-B', CC defining said maximum spacing E max between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9.

[0028] It is however more advantageous for said adjustment system to be designed and configured to allow, on the contrary, a movement of only one of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 relative to said frame 10, in response to an external force exerted against the massage roller 8, 9 concerned. Indeed, this advantageously makes it possible to simplify the design of the massage head 1 and to improve its compactness, robustness, reliability and ease of use, without however impairing the effectiveness of the massage provided and the comfort of use of the massage head 1. On the contrary, the fact of thus allowing the movement of only one of the massage rollers 8, 9 even makes it possible to avoid an unpleasant and jerky massage that could possibly be observed in certain situations in the case where the two massage rollers 8, 9 are able to move relative to the frame 10 of the massage head 1.In this respect, and as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 can advantageously be designed and configured to keep the first axis AA' of the first massage roller 8 fixed (i.e. immobile in translation) relative to the frame 10 of the massage head 1, while allowing a movement of the second axis CC' of the second massage roller 9, therefore in response to an external force exerted against at least the second massage roller 9, between . a first position defining said minimum spacing E min between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 ( figures 1 to 4 , 8 And 9 ), and a second position defining said maximum spacing E max between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 ( figures 5 to 7 And 10 ).

[0029] Advantageously, said minimum E min and maximum E max spacings are defined, by design of the adjustment system and according to the specific dimensioning (and in particular, the diameter) of the massage rollers 8, 9, so that when the second axis CC' occupies its first position, the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are spaced apart from each other by a minimum distance dmin of between approximately 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm, and more preferably still equal to 6 mm, when the second axis CC' occupies its second position, the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are spaced apart from each other by a maximum distance dmax of between 8 mm and 20 mm, more preferably still between 10 mm and 12 mm, and more preferably still equal to 10 mm.

[0030] These minimum distances d min and maximum distances d max are to be considered here as corresponding to the minimum and maximum distances which separate two given points of the respective surface of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 positioned opposite one another, in a plane containing the axes B-B', CC' of the massage rollers 8, 9 (plane P 1 ), respectively when the second massage roller 9 occupies its first position and when it occupies its second position. The minimum distances d min and maximum distances d max may advantageously be chosen differently depending in particular on the area of ​​skin of the body to be treated, in order to optimize the effectiveness of the massage and the comfort of use. Thus, for use of the massage head 1 for the treatment of an area of ​​skin of the face, and in particular in the case where the direction of rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9 is in accordance with the first variant envisaged previously ( iefor the implementation of the technique known as " palpate-roll ”) , the minimum spacing E min will advantageously be defined so that the minimum distance d min between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is preferably equal to approximately 6 mm, while the maximum spacing E min will advantageously be defined so that the maximum distance d max between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is preferably equal to approximately 10 mm. For use of the massage head 1 for treating an area of ​​skin on the thigh or buttock, and in particular in the case where the direction of rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9 is in accordance with the first variant envisaged previously ( ie , for the implementation of the technique known as “ palpate-roll"), the minimum spacing E min may advantageously be defined so that the minimum distance d min between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is preferably equal to approximately 10 mm, while the maximum spacing E min may advantageously be defined so that the maximum distance d max between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is preferably equal to approximately 15 mm. For use of the massage head 1 for treating an area of ​​skin on the arm, and in particular in the case where the direction of rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9 is in accordance with the first variant envisaged previously (i.e. for implementing the technique known as " palpate-roll"), the minimum spacing E min may advantageously be defined so that the minimum distance d min between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is preferably equal to approximately 5 mm, while the maximum spacing E min may advantageously be defined so that the maximum distance d max between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is preferably equal to approximately 10 mm.

[0031] It will be noted here that a design of the adjustment system allowing the obtaining of such minimum distances d min and maximum d max between the massage rollers 8, 9 could be symmetrically retained. mutatis mutandisin the case considered previously, less advantageous however, where the adjustment system is designed and configured to allow a movement (simultaneous or not) of each of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 relative to the frame 10. In this respect, the reference to the first / second position of the second axis CC' of the second massage roller 9, in the above, may be transposed symmetrically into a reference to the first / second relative position of the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9.

[0032] Preferably, the system for adjusting the relative spacing of said first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is furthermore designed and configured to keep the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 initially spaced apart from each other in the absence of any external force exerted by at least one of said first and second rollers 8, 9 (and in particular against at least the second massage roller 9 in the case where only the latter is capable of moving). In other words, the adjustment system is then provided to ensure an initial spacing E ini (non-zero) of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 even when the latter are not in contact with the user's skin and the massage head is at rest, or even at a complete standstill.The existence of such an initial spacing between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 advantageously promotes an immediate and tonic massage (by pleating or stretching, depending on the direction of rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9) of the skin as soon as the massage head 1 is applied against the latter. In the case where the massage head 1 is intended for the treatment of an area of ​​skin according to the technique known as ". palpate-roll», (i.e. with the massage rollers 8, 9 rotating in the direction corresponding to the first drive variant described above), this initial spacing E ini also advantageously makes it easier to insert the skin into the working area as soon as the user applies the massage rollers 8, 9 in contact with his skin. This insertion is carried out remarkably painlessly, effortlessly and even without any special handling on the part of the user. The ease of use and ergonomics of the massage head 1 are therefore improved. For example, in the case where the massage head 1 is intended for the treatment of an area of ​​the face using the so-called « palpate-roll ", the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 can thus advantageously be kept initially spaced apart from each other by an initial distance of at least 2 mm to 8 mm, and more preferably at least 5 mm (or even 6 mm).

[0033] Even more advantageously, it may be provided that the adjustment system is designed to maintain the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 at an initial spacing E ini identical to the minimum spacing E min described above. In other words, even in the absence of force exerted by the skin against at least the second massage roller 9, in the preferred case described above where only the latter is capable of moving, the adjustment system then maintains the second axis CC' of rotation of the second massage roller 9 in its first position.

[0034] Said second position of the second axis CC' is therefore a rest position. This contributes to further simplifying the design of the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9, and more generally of the massage head 1. Preferably, as is the case in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 is designed and configured so that the movement of the second axis CC' of the second massage roller 9 between said first and second positions (or, symmetrically, the movement of the first and second axes B-B', CC' between their first and second relative positions) follows a trajectory in the form of an arc(s) of a circle, with a center of curvature advantageously positioned towards the inside of the frame 10.Such a configuration advantageously makes it easier to adjust the relative spacing of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 under the effect of the pressure exerted by the user, depending on the topography of the area of ​​skin to be treated. Indeed, such an arc-shaped trajectory proves well suited to allowing the massage head 1 to follow the contours of the user's skin, since most of the areas likely to be treated using the massage head 1 have a relatively rounded shape (face, leg, arm, buttock, etc.). In addition, such a configuration advantageously contributes to the simplicity of design and a small footprint of the massage head 1.

[0035] In this respect, the adjustment system preferably comprises a first support means 27 (or first support arm) for the first massage roller 8, and a second support means 28 (or first support arm) for the second massage roller 9, separate from said first support means 27. The first and second support means 27, 28 are respectively designed and configured to support the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 in rotation along the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation, for example by means of a first rigid axis 29 and a second rigid axis 30 which axially pass respectively through the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, and thus advantageously form rigid axes 29, 30 of rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9.In the preferred case, mentioned above and retained in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, where the adjustment system is provided to only allow a movement of the second massage roller 9 and of the second axis CC' of rotation of the latter, the first support means 27 of the first massage roller 8 is then immobile relative to the frame 10, while the second support means 28 of the second massage roller 9 is itself pivotally mounted relative to the frame 10 along a pivot axis FF' which is parallel to said second axis CC' (and also parallel to said first axis BB' in the hypothesis, retained in the figures, where the first and second axes B-B', CC' are advantageously parallel to each other).As illustrated in the figures, the pivot axis FF' is advantageously positioned under the application surface 15, so that the center of curvature of the arcuate trajectory of the second axis CC' is thus positioned towards the inside of the frame 10 and the housing 11.

[0036] Advantageously, the first support means 27 may be integral with all or part of the frame 10 or the housing 11. For example, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, in which the frame 10 forms the housing 11, itself formed by two half-shells 12A, 12B, the first support means 11 is advantageously formed by two complementary support elements 31A, 31B each forming a single, monolithic part with one of the two half-shells 12A, 12B. Advantageously, the second support means 28 may be formed from a single, monolithic part, mounted on the one hand to pivot relative to the frame 10 by means of a rigid pivot axis 32 which extends longitudinally along the pivot axis F-F', and connected on the other hand to the second massage roller 9 by means of said second rigid axis 30.The manufacture and assembly of the massage head 1 is thus facilitated, while guaranteeing the mobility of the second support means 28, and therefore of the second massage roller 9. As illustrated in the figures, the first and second support means 27, 28 advantageously define the application surface 15 of the massage head 1 mentioned above. The application surface 15 also constitutes a support surface, a sort of guide, allowing the user not to push the massage rollers 8, 9 too far into the skin, so as to optimize the ergonomics and safety of use of the massage head 1. Preferably, the first and second support means 27, 28 are shaped so as to advantageously limit the risks of pinching the skin or the fingers of the user between the frame 10 and the first and second massage rollers 8, 9.

[0037] Advantageously, the massage head 1 comprises a return member 33 configured and arranged to exert a force tending to automatically bring said first and second massage rollers 8, 9 closer together towards their minimum spacing E min. In the preferred case where the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9 is provided to only allow a movement of the second massage roller 9 and the second axis CC' of the latter, the return member 33 is therefore then configured and arranged to exert a force tending to return the second axis CC' of extension and rotation of the second massage roller 9 towards said first position when it occupies said second position.Symmetrically, the return member 33 can be configured and arranged to exert a force tending to return the first and second axes B-B', CC' of extension and rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 towards said first relative position when they occupy said second relative position. The return member 33 thus has the effect of bringing the massage rollers 8, 9 closer together, when the latter are moved away from each other under the effect, in particular of an external force exerted against at least one of the massage rollers 8, 9 by the user's skin. The implementation of such a return member 33 makes it possible to advantageously give the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9 a dynamic character, in particular promoting permanent contact between the massage rollers 8, 9 and the skin during the massage of the latter.Such a return member 33 also advantageously allows the adjustment system to adjust the spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9 until a balance of the forces exerted directly and / or indirectly on the latter is reached. Indeed, the force exerted by the skin against at least one of the massage rollers 8, 9, when it is greater than the force exerted by the return member 33, makes it possible to counter the return effect of the return member 33 and to separate the massage rollers 8, 9 by moving the second massage roller 9 towards its second position (or, symmetrically, by moving the massage rollers 8, 9 towards their second relative position).On the contrary, if the force exerted by the skin is less than the force exerted respectively by the return member 33, the latter automatically returns the second massage roller 9 to its first position (or, symmetrically, automatically returns the massage rollers 8, 9 towards their first relative position), which thus brings the massage rollers 8, 9 together, until reaching an equilibrium position. Obtaining such an equilibrium advantageously makes it possible to control and limit the forces exerted by the massage head 1 on the skin (and in particular the forces of wrinkling the skin in the case of operation according to the technique of ". palpate-roll"), in order to limit pain in particular by automatically adapting to the characteristics of the skin in the area to be treated (thickness, elasticity, etc.). Thus, the implementation of the return member 33 makes it possible to choose by design the maximum admissible force within the working area, i.e. between the massage rollers 8, 9, and therefore not to leave the assessment of this force (which results in particular from the pressure applied to the skin) to the user, as could be the case with the massage heads of the prior art. This thus considerably reinforces the safety and simplicity of use of the head 1 and the massage device 2, in particular allowing their use by a user without any particular skills or knowledge in the field of massage.

[0038] The return member 33 may be of any suitable known type, and may for example comprise one or more helical tension or compression springs (“springs”). black puddings "), one or more torsion coil springs, one or more leaf springs, or a combination thereof. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures (and in particular in figures 4 , 6 And 9), the return member 33 comprises a single helical torsion spring, one of the legs of which is positioned in abutment against a surface of the frame 10 and the other of the legs is positioned in abutment against a surface of the second support means 28 of the second roller 9, and the turns of which are wound around the rigid pivot axis 32 which connects the second support means 28 to pivot relative to the frame 10. Obviously, other arrangements and configurations of the return member 33 may be retained to obtain the desired return effect. Advantageously, the tare of the return member 33, and in particular its return force, is chosen, according to the intended application and the skin area to be treated, as a function of the resistance threshold of the skin. Thus, below the resistance threshold of the skin, when using the massage head 1, the massage rollers 8, 9 are brought closer to each other under the action of the return member 33.Beyond this threshold, the restoring force of the restoring member 33 is on the contrary less than the resistance force of the skin, so that the massage rollers 8, 9 tend to move away from each other. This improves both the effectiveness and the comfort of the massage of the skin by the massage head 1, while guaranteeing the safety of use of the massage head 1 by a user who is not specifically qualified. Preferably, the return member 33 is calibrated to exert a return force of between 2 N and 20 N, and more preferably between 4 N and 10 N. For example, in the case where the return member 33 comprises a single helical torsion spring, as in the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the torsion moment of this helical torsion spring may advantageously be between 10 Nmm and 50 Nmm, more advantageously still between 20 Nmm and 40 Nmm.Such a calibration is in fact particularly well suited for the treatment, using the massage head 1, of an area of ​​facial skin using the so-called “ ” technique. palpate-roll » mentioned previously.

[0039] Advantageously, the first and second positions of the second axis CC' of extension and rotation of the second massage roller 9 (or, symmetrically, the first and second relative positions of the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9) are stop positions, so as to mechanically limit, in a reliable and repeatable manner, the range of relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9. According to a variant, of particularly simple design, said first and second positions (or, symmetrically, said first and second relative positions) are defined by fixed mechanical stops, defined once and for all during the design of the massage head 1. No particular adjustment is thus required on the part of the user.For example, as illustrated in the figures, the second position of the second axis CC' of the second massage roller 9 is defined by two fixed lateral stops 34 arranged at the level of the second support means 28, and which come to bear against an external surface of the housing 11, which advantageously forms the frame 10 of the massage head 1, when the second axis CC' of rotation occupies its second position (. figure 10 ). A single fixed stop could alternatively be envisaged. Advantageously, the stops 34 are designed and dimensioned to ensure that the surface of the second massage roller 9 is kept at a distance from the frame 10, so as to avoid any contact between the latter when the second axis CC' of rotation of the second massage roller 9 occupies its second position ( figure 10). The first position of the second axis CC' of rotation can be defined, for example, by at least one fixed stop (and preferably two, not visible in the figures) arranged at the level of the second support means 28, and which comes to bear against a surface of the first support means 27 of the first massage roller 8 when the second axis CC' of rotation occupies its first position. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, this fixed stop also makes it possible to advantageously avoid any interaction between the second support means 28 and the drive system 13 housed within the housing 11.According to another variant (not illustrated), said first and second positions could instead be one and / or the other defined by adjustable mechanical stops (for example, screw-type), so that the user can define and adjust himself the value of the minimum E min and maximum E max spacing desired, that is to say of said minimum d min and maximum d max distances.

[0040] Preferably, and as illustrated by example in the figures, the massage head 1 is advantageously designed and configured so that the plane P 2 of contact of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 with the skin is oriented in a secant manner and not orthogonal to the mean direction of extension EE' of the massage head 1, and this preferably still regardless of the (first or second) position occupied by the second axis CC' of extension and rotation of the second massage roller 9 (respectively, regardless of the first or second relative position occupied by the first and second axes B-B', CC' of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9).Preferably, the plane P 2 of contact of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 with the skin is secant and not orthogonal to said mean direction of extension EE' of the massage head 1 according to a minimum contact angle α min of at least 15°, when the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are in their minimum spacing E min (. figures 8 And 9 ), and according to a maximum contact angle α max of 110° at most when the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are at their maximum spacing E max ( figure 10). Such an inclination of the plane P 2 of contact of the massage rollers 8, 9 with the skin contributes to excellent ergonomics of the head 1 and the massage device 2, further facilitating their handling and use regardless of the area of ​​skin to be treated. Even more preferably, and in particular in the case where the massage head 1 is intended for the treatment of an area of ​​skin of the face, the minimum contact angle α min may advantageously be chosen equal to 72.5°, while the maximum contact angle d max may advantageously be chosen equal to 91.5°.Advantageously, as in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the pivot axis FF' of the second support means 28 of the second massage roller 9 relative to the frame 10 of the massage head 1 may be included in a plane containing the average direction of extension EE' of the massage head 1, which contributes to the simplicity of design and the compactness of the massage head 1. In this case, the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9 may advantageously be designed and configured so as to define between, on the one hand, a plane P 3 comprising the first axis BB' of rotation and the pivot axis FF' and, on the other hand, a plane P 4 comprising the second axis CC' of rotation and the pivot axis F-F', a minimum opening angle β min of between 95° and 110° (and preferably equal to 105°) when the massage rollers 8, 9 are in their minimum relative spacing E min (. figures 8 And 9), and a maximum opening angle β max of between 135° and 150° (and preferably equal to 143°) when the massage rollers 8, 9 are at their maximum relative spacing E max ( figure 10 ).

[0041] Preferably, the system 13 for driving the massage rollers 8, 9 in rotation comprises a first set of gears 35A and a second set of gears 35B, distinct from one another, and which are respectively provided to ensure the rotational drive of the first massage roller 8 and the second massage roller 9. Each of the first and second sets of gears 35A, 35B comprises at least one driving toothed wheel 36A, 36B and one driven toothed wheel 37A, 37B secured (axially) to one of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 and driven (directly or indirectly) in rotation by the driving toothed wheel 35A, 35B.In other words, the driven toothed wheel 37A, 37B of each of the first and second sets of gears 35A, 35B is rotatably mounted integrally with one of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 along the first or second axis B-B', CC' of rotation of the latter, so that the rotation of the driven toothed wheel 37A, 7B along the first or second axis B-B', CC' of rotation causes the joint rotation of the corresponding first or second massage roller 8, 9. Said driving toothed wheels 36A, 36B and driven toothed wheels 37A, 37B are preferably straight-toothed.

[0042] According to a preferred variant, retained in the embodiments of the massage head 1 and device 2 illustrated in the figures, the angle transmission device is advantageously formed of a double gear with concurrent axes (gear whose axes of rotation are intersecting) or orthogonal axes (gear whose axes of rotation are inscribed in planes orthogonal to each other) comprising a (single) input toothed wheel 38 and two output toothed wheels 39A, 39B meshed with the input toothed wheel 38. Each output toothed wheel 39A, 39B is respectively connected to the corresponding driving toothed wheel 36A, 36B of the first set of gears 35A and of the second set of gears 35B, to drive said driving toothed wheel 36A, 36B in rotation.In other words, the angle transmission device therefore comprises two gears with concurrent or orthogonal axes which share the same input toothed wheel 38 and respectively drive the first and second sets of gear(s) 35A, 35B via two separate output toothed wheels 39A, 39B. Such a drive system 13 proves to be particularly robust and reliable while being of relatively simple and efficient design. Its various components can thus be advantageously made of a rigid plastic material, which advantageously makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and the weight of the massage head 1. Preferably, each output toothed wheel 39A, 39B forms a single, monolithic part, with the corresponding driving toothed wheel 36A, 36B, so that the output toothed wheel 39A, 39B and corresponding driving toothed wheel 36A, 36B are therefore connected to each other by continuity of material.In particular, this makes it possible to simplify and make the design of the drive system 13 even more reliable, by limiting the number of parts.

[0043] Still in order to simplify the design of the drive system 13 for rotating the massage rollers 8, 9, the angle transmission device is more preferably formed of a double gear with concurrent axes, as envisaged above, which is a double bevel gear. In other words, the input toothed wheel 38 of the angle transmission device is a bevel wheel, and the output toothed wheels 39A, 39B of the angle transmission device are both also bevel wheels. Advantageously, the angle transmission device is designed and configured to provide a 90° angle transmission. In other words, the input gear wheel 38 and the output gear wheels 39A, 39B of the angle transmission device are therefore configured and arranged so that the axis of rotation 8-8' of the output gear wheels 39A, 39B is concurrent and orthogonal to the axis of rotation HH' of the input gear wheel 38 ( figures 3 And 7). This makes it possible in particular to ensure in a simple and effective manner a rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9 in the advantageous case where the first and second axes B-B', CC' of extension and rotation of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 are parallel to each other and where the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 is orthogonal to said first and second axes B-B', C-C'. As is apparent from the figures, the axis of rotation HH' of the input toothed wheel 38 is advantageously parallel to, or coincident with, the direction EE' of extension of the massage head 1 on the one hand, and advantageously parallel to, or coincident with, the output axis DD' of the output shaft 17 (when the massage head 1 is fixed to the main body 3) on the other hand.

[0044] Advantageously, the massage head 1 further comprises a coupling member, preferably temporary, for coupling the input toothed wheel 38 of the angle transmission device to a distal end of the output shaft 17 of the means 16 for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor 14 to the massage head 1, and thus allowing the transmission of the rotational movement of the output shaft 17 to the drive system 13 of the massage rollers 8, 9. For example, the coupling member may form a female coupling member 40 which cooperates, or is at least intended to cooperate, by form complementarity with a male coupling member 41 secured to the distal end of the output shaft 17.Conversely, but less advantageously in terms of the size of the massage head 1, the coupling member of the massage head 1 could form a male coupling member which cooperates, or is at least intended to cooperate, by form complementarity with a female coupling member secured to the distal end of the output shaft 17. As illustrated as an example in the figures, the male coupling member 41 may advantageously have a generally conical shape and include fins whose free edges define said generally conical shape. The female coupling member 40 may then define in return an imprint of which an inner side wall has a generally conical or frustoconical shape, shaped and configured to receive and cooperate with the fins of the male coupling member 41 by form complementarity.Advantageously mounted for rotation in a coupling bearing 42 which is secured to the frame 10 of the massage head 1, the input toothed wheel 38 of the angle transmission device preferably forms a single, monolithic part with said coupling member, which simplifies the design of the massage head 1. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in the case where the massage head 1 is intended to be fixed to the main body 3 of the massage device 2 in a removable manner, as in the embodiments illustrated in the figures. As in the example illustrated in the . figure 9, the male coupling member 41 secured to the distal end of the output shaft 37 can advantageously protrude from the bottom of the housing 22 intended to receive the massage head 1 in a removable manner, as described previously. Thus, when the massage head 1 is inserted and fixed in the housing 22 of the main body 3 of the massage appliance 2, the input toothed wheel 28 of the angle transmission device is thus coupled, by complementarity of the male 41 and female 40 coupling members, to the distal end of the output shaft 17 of the means 16 for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor 14 to the massage head 1 ( figure 9 ).

[0045] According to another variant (not illustrated), the angle transmission device is identical to that described above, except that it does not have an input toothed wheel, the latter being directly secured to the distal end of the output shaft of the means for transmitting the rotational movement of the motor to the massage head. Such a variant proves to be more particularly interesting, because it is in particular simpler and less expensive to implement, in the case in particular where the massage head is fixed to the main body of the massage device in an irremovable manner. In this case, the angle transmission device of the massage head therefore constitutes, as such, only part of an angle transmission mechanism.

[0046] Preferably, the first and second gear sets 35A, 35B each comprise an intermediate gear wheel 43A, 43B which is arranged between the driving gear wheel 36A, 36B and the driven gear wheel 37A, 37B, and with which the driven gear wheel 37A, 37B is (directly) meshed. Advantageously, the intermediate gear wheels 43A, 43B are straight-toothed. Even more preferably, the intermediate gear wheel 43A, 43B of each of the first and second sets of gears 35A, 35B is meshed (preferably (directly) with the driving gear wheel 36A, 36B of the corresponding sets of gears 35A, 35B, and has a diameter which is greater on the one hand than a respective diameter of said driving gear wheel 36A, 36B, and on the other hand, than a respective diameter of said driven gear wheel 37A, 37B.The intermediate gear wheels 43A, 43B thus advantageously constitute rotation speed reduction gear wheels, which make it possible to reduce the rotation speed of the massage rollers 8, 9 with respect to the rotation speed of the motor 14. This makes it possible in particular to be able to choose a small electric motor 14 with a high rotation speed, which is compact and inexpensive, and while ensuring that the massage rollers 8, 9 can be rotated at a speed which is not too high and with a torque which is, on the other hand, sufficiently strong in accordance with the type of massage intended. In a complementary or alternative manner, the intermediate gear wheel 43B of the second set of gears 35B is mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation II' which coincides with the pivot axis FF' of the second support means 28 of the second massage roller 9 relative to the frame 10.This makes it possible in particular to give the movement of the second axis CC' of rotation of the second massage roller 9, between its first and second positions which respectively define the minimum spacing E min and the maximum spacing E max between the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, a trajectory in an arc of a circle as envisaged previously, while guaranteeing continuity of rotational drive of the second massage roller 9 by the drive system 13 throughout the movement of the second axis CC' of rotation.Indeed, when the second axis CC' of rotation moves between said first and second positions, the driven toothed wheel 37B of the second set of gears 35B therefore advantageously rotates, on the one hand along the second axis CC' of rotation of the second massage roller 9 and, on the other hand, around the axis of rotation II' of the intermediate toothed wheel 43B, with which the driven toothed wheel 37B therefore remains permanently meshed.

[0047] As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first set of gears 35A and the second set of gears 35B are preferably identical to each other. In other words, the driving gears 36A, 36B of the drive system 13 are identical to each other (dimensions, number of teeth, etc.), the driven gears 37A, 37B are identical to each other and, in the same way, the intermediate gears 43A, 43B are, where appropriate, identical to each other. Advantageously, the output gears 39A, 39B of the angle transmission device are also identical to each other. The design of the drive system 13 for rotating the massage rollers 8, 9 is thus greatly simplified, and its manufacturing cost reduced.In the event that the massage rollers 8, 9 are of identical diameters, this also advantageously makes it possible to simply and effectively ensure rotation of the massage rollers 8, 9 at identical speeds, as envisaged previously.

[0048] Advantageously, the output gear wheels 39A, 39B of the angle transmission device and the driving gear wheels 36A, 36B of the first and second sets of gears 35A, 35B are mounted to rotate about a single rigid axis 44, and therefore along a single axis of rotation J-J'. Advantageously, this common axis of rotation JJ' is then coincident with the axis of rotation GG' of each of the output gear wheels 39A, 39B. Conversely, the intermediate gear wheels 43A, 43B are, where appropriate, mounted to rotate about a single rigid axis 45, and therefore along a single axis of rotation KK' as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. Advantageously, this rigid axis 45 is merged with (i.e. formed by) the rigid pivot axis 32, and said rotation axis KK' is merged with the pivot axis FF' of the second support means 28 of the second massage roller 9 and with the rotation axis II' of each of the intermediate toothed wheels 43A, 43B.This makes it possible to further reduce the number of parts that comprise the drive system 13 for rotating the massage rollers 8, 9, and therefore to simplify the design of the massage head 1, to limit its size and to reduce its manufacturing cost. Advantageously, said rigid axes 44, 45 / 32 are connected to the frame 10 of the massage head 1 in order to ensure good absorption of the forces during operation of the massage head 1, and in particular in order to counteract rotational forces along the axis of rotation HH' of the input toothed wheel 38, and thus guarantee great robustness of the drive system 13. For example, the rigid axes 44, 45 can be fitted into an inner wall of the housing 11 via their ends. As illustrated in the example by arrows in the . figure 7, when the input gear wheel 38 of the angle transmission device is rotated along its rotation axis H-H', the output gear wheels 39A, 39B of the angle transmission device thus rotate in a counter-rotating manner around their common rigid axis 44, and the intermediate gear wheels 43A, 43B also rotate in a counter-rotating manner around their common rigid axis 45. The rotational movement of the motor 14 is thus in finetransmitted to the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, by means of the driven toothed wheels 37A, 37B, to which the first and second massage rollers 37A, 37B are respectively secured, and which rotate in a counter-rotating manner respectively along the first and second axes B-B', CC' of rotation. Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, the toothed wheels 36A, 37A, 43A of the first set of gears 35A (as well as, preferably, the corresponding output toothed wheel 39A) extend substantially in a first plane which is parallel to a second plane in which the toothed wheels 36B, 37B, 43B of the second set of gears 35B (as well as, preferably, the corresponding output toothed wheel 39B) extend respectively substantially, these first and second planes being, even more advantageously, arranged opposite each other at an equal distance from the axis of rotation HH' of the input toothed wheel 38 of the angle transmission device.This contributes in particular to an excellent dimensional and weight balance of the massage head 1 and to its good mechanical stability in operation.

[0049] Preferably, all or part of the toothed wheels 36A, 37A, 43A, 36B, 37B, 43B of the first and second sets of gears 35A, 36B are mounted to rotate with a non-zero clearance along the axis of rotation of said toothed wheels 36A, 37A, 43A, 36B, 37B, 43B. In other words, all or only some of the driving gear wheels 36A, 36B, the driven gear wheels 37A, 37B and, possibly, the intermediate gear wheels 43A, 43B are mounted on the one hand to rotate about their respective axis of rotation, and on the other hand to translate about their respective axis of rotation, so that the gear wheels concerned can thus translate axially, typically over a distance (or travel, i.e. on either side of the illustrated position) of between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, and more preferably of between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.Such a possibility, for the toothed wheels concerned, to move in translation along their own axis of rotation advantageously makes it possible to compensate for any vibrations / displacement of the massage rollers 8, 9 during use, and thus to reduce the mechanical stresses within the massage head 1. It is however preferable that the driven toothed wheels 37A, 37B are connected to their respective massage rollers 8, 9 with zero travel (i.e. without authorized travel) along their own axes of rotation, i.e. along the first and second axes B-B', CC' of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9, and that only the driven toothed wheels 36A, 36B and, possibly, the intermediate toothed wheels 43A, 43B, are mounted to rotate with such non-zero travel along their own axis of rotation.This avoids in particular a potential risk of pinching or trapping of the skin, for example, between a given massage roller 8, 9 and the corresponding driven toothed wheel 37A, 37B.

[0050] Obviously, the invention is not limited to such an advantageous design of the drive system 13 for rotating the massage rollers 8, 9. Although less preferably, the drive system 13 may thus comprise other known and suitable mechanisms (gears, pulleys, belts, etc.), in place of the first and second sets of gears 35A, 35B described above, to transmit a rotational movement at the output of the angle transmission device to each of the massage rollers 8, 9.

[0051] Advantageously, the massage head 1 comprises a casing (or protective casing) designed and configured to isolate, at least in part and preferably in major part, the drive system 13 of the first and second massage rollers 8, 9 from the environment external to the massage head 1. Such a protective casing advantageously makes it possible, on the one hand, to limit the risk of fouling of the drive system 13 (for example by debris of dead skin, makeup, hair, etc.) and therefore to make the operation of the latter more reliable. The presence of the casing makes it possible, on the other hand, to limit the risk of pinching or trapping of the skin, a finger, or even the hair of the user in the drive system 13, which makes the use of the massage head 1 particularly safe.More generally, the casing makes it possible to protect the drive system 13 of the massage rollers 8, 9 against the introduction of external elements or objects likely to damage its operation. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the casing may advantageously comprise an external casing element 46, which typically defines at least part of an outer casing of the massage head 1, and which is for example formed at least in part by the housing 11 of the massage head 1. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said external casing element 46 may furthermore advantageously be formed by the support means 27, 28 of the massage rollers 8, 9 which advantageously comprises the system for adjusting the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9.Furthermore, the casing can advantageously comprise an internal casing element 47, arranged within the massage head 1 itself, under the massage rollers 8, 9, the latter thus being arranged between the user's skin and the internal casing element 47, as illustrated very schematically in the example in . figure 4 . The internal casing element 47 thus advantageously covers at least part of the drive system 13 of massage rollers 8, 9, without however hindering the rotation of the latter. For example, made of a plastic material, the internal casing element 47 can advantageously have a curvature which follows the contour of the surfaces of the massage rollers 8, 9, as illustrated in the example in figure 4. In the preferred case where, as described above, the massage head 1 comprises a system for adjusting the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9, the internal casing element 47 may advantageously be formed from an elastically deformable material, so that the internal casing element 47 ensures its protective role whatever the relative spacing of the massage rollers 8, 9. POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0052] The invention finds its application in the design and manufacture of massage heads for skin massage devices, in particular for domestic use, and massage devices equipped with such massage heads.

Claims

1. A massage head (1) for a massage device (2) comprising a motor (14) and a transmission means (16) for transmitting to the massage head (1) a rotational motion of the motor (14), said transmission means (16) comprising an output shaft (17) mounted for rotation about an output axis (D-D'), said massage head (1) comprising - a first massage roller (8) and a second massage roller (9), which are intended to come into contact with the skin of a user and extend longitudinally along a first axis (B-B') and a second axis (C-C'), respectively, and - a drive system (13) for simultaneously rotating said first and second massage rollers (8, 9) in counter-rotation about said first axis (B-B') and said second axis (C-C'), respectively, said drive system (13) comprising an angle transmission device (38, 39A, 39B) for converting the rotational motion of the output shaft (17) about the output axis (D-D') into a rotational motion of the first and second massage rollers (8, 9) about said first and second axes (B-B', C-C'), respectively, said first and second axes (B-B', C-C') being inscribed in a plane (P1) intersecting said output axis (D-D'), characterized in that said drive system (13) comprising a first set of gear(s) (35A) and a second set of gear(s) (35B) respectively provided to ensure the driving in rotation of the first massage roller (8) and the second massage roller (9), respectively, each of said first and second sets of gear(s) (35A, 35B) comprising at least one driving gear wheel (36A, 36B) and one driven gear wheel (37A, 37B) fastened to one of the first and second massage rollers (8, 9), the angle transmission device (38, 39A, 39B) being formed of a double gearing with concurrent or orthogonal axes comprising an input gear wheel (38) and two output gear wheels (39A, 39B) meshed with the input gear wheel (38), each output gear wheel (39A, 39B) being respectively connected to the driving gear wheel (36A, 36B) of the first set of gears(s) (35A) and the second set of gear(s) (35B) to drive said driving gear wheel (36A, 36B) in rotation.

2. The massage head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said first axis (B-B') of extension and rotation of the first massage roller (8) is parallel to said second axis (C-C') of extension and rotation of the second massage roller (9), said output axis (D-D') being preferably orthogonal to said first and second axes (B-B', C-C') of extension and rotation of the first and second massage rollers (8, 9).

3. The massage head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises an adjustment system for adjusting a relative spacing between the first and second massage rollers (8, 9), in response to an external force exerted against at least one of the first and second massage rollers (8, 9) by the user's skin during the rotation of said massage roller (8, 9), between a minimum spacing (Emin) and a maximum spacing (Emax) of said first and second massage rollers (8, 9).

4. The massage head (1) according to the preceding claim, which comprises a frame (10) with respect to which said first and second massage rollers (8, 9) are mounted for rotation about said first and second axes (B-B', C-C'), respectively, said system for adjusting the relative spacing between said first and second massage rollers (8, 9) being designed and configured to hold said first axis (B-B') fixed with respect to the frame (3), while allowing a movement of said second axis (C-C') between a first position defining said minimum spacing (Emin) between said first and second massage rollers (8, 9), and a second position defining said maximum spacing (Emax) between said first and second massage rollers (8, 9).

5. The massage head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said adjustment system is designed and configured in such a way that the movement of said second axis (C-C') between said first and second positions follows a circular arc trajectory, said adjustment system preferably comprising a first support means (27) for the first massage roller (8), said first support means (27) being immobile relative to the frame (3), and a second support means (28) for the second massage roller (9), said second support means (28) being mounted for swivelling relative to the frame (3) about a swivel axis (F-F') that is parallel to the second axis (C-C') of extension and rotation of the second massage roller (9).

6. The massage head (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said adjustment system is designed to hold said first and second massage rollers (8, 9) initially spaced apart in the absence of any external force exerted against at least one of said first and second massage rollers (8, 9).

7. The massage head (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, which comprises a return member (33) configured and arranged to exert a force tending to automatically bring said first and second massage rollers (8, 9) closer to each other to their minimum spacing (Emin).

8. The massage head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second sets of gear(s) (35A, 35B) each comprise an intermediate gear wheel (43A, 43B), arranged between the driving gear wheel (36A, 36B) and the driven gear wheel (37A, 37B), and with which the driven gear wheel (37A, 37B) is meshed.

9. The massage head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the intermediate gear wheel (43A, 43B) is meshed with the driving gear wheel (36A, 36B) and has a diameter greater than a respective diameter of the driving gear wheel (36A, 36B) and than a respective diameter of the driven gear wheel (37A, 37B).

10. The massage head (1) according to claim 5 and any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the intermediate gear wheel (43B) of the second set of gears (35B) is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation (I-I') coincident with the swivel axis (F-F') of the second support means (28) relative to the frame (10).

11. The massage head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first set of gear(s) (35A) and the second set of gear(s) (35B) are identical.

12. The massage head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all or part of the gear wheels (36A, 37A, 43A, 36B, 33B, 43B) of the first and second sets of gear(s) (35A, 35B) is mounted for rotation with non-zero travel along an axis of rotation of the said gear wheels.

13. The massage head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a casing (46, 47) designed and configured to isolate the drive system (13) of the first and second massage rollers (8, 9) from the environment outside the massage head (1).

14. A massage device (2) comprising a massage head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said massage device (2) comprising a motor (14) and a transmission means for transmitting a rotational motion of the motor (14) to the massage head (1), said transmission means comprising an output shaft (17) mounted for rotation about an output axis (D-D').

15. The massage device (2) according to the preceding claim, which comprises a main body (3) forming a handle (4) for manual gripping, which preferably extends along a longitudinal direction of extension (A-A'), between a first end (5) at which the massage head (2) is attached and a second opposite end (6), said longitudinal direction of extension (A-A') being preferentially parallel to, or coincident with, said output shaft (D-D') of the output shaft (17) of the transmission means (16).

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