Massage head

Abstract

Title: Massage Head Massage head (2) comprising: - a housing (7) for attachment to a handle (1) provided with a drive means, - a set of massage fingers (3A, 3B, 3C) movable relative to the housing (7), the massage fingers having a generally hemispherical shape provided with radially projecting protrusions (32), - a transmission mechanism (5) coupled to the massage fingers and intended to cooperate with said drive means to move the massage fingers relative to the housing. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

[0031] A massage device according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a handle 1, illustrated in [Fig. 1], and a massage head 2, illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The massage head 2 is intended to be attached to the handle 1. The massage head 2 comprises a set of massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C that move according to a specific kinematic pattern in order to massage a patient's skin surface, and in particular to allow a cosmetic agent to penetrate the stratum corneum (also known as the outermost layer of the epidermis). The massage device is therefore intended to perform a very superficial action on the skin. It aims to specifically deform and thus permeabilize the stratum corneum of the skin to a thickness of approximately 10 to 15 µm.

[0032] The handle 1 is intended to be held in the hand of a person applying the massage. The handle 1 includes a means for rotational drive about a first axis XI, for example, an electric motor. The handle 1 extends overall along the first axis XL. The handle 1 may further include electrical connection means and / or energy storage means for powering said drive means. The handle 1 further includes a first rotational linkage means 4, driven in rotation by said drive means. The first rotational linkage means 4 is intended to cooperate with a transmission mechanism 5 integrated into the massage head 2 to move the massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C. The first rotational linkage means 4 may, for example, include a raised shape, in particular an elliptical shape.

[0033] According to the embodiment presented, the massage head 2 comprises three massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C. Alternatively, this number could be different, for example at least two massage fingers, at least four massage fingers, or even an even greater number of massage fingers.

[0034] The massage head 2 can be removably attached to the handle 1, in particular to one end of the handle along the first axis XL. For this purpose, the handle 1 and the massage head 2 may include removable fastening means, such as a fastening clip. The same handle 1 can thus accommodate different massage heads in order to perform different cosmetic treatments. The massage head 2 can also be detached from the handle 1 in order to perform cleaning and / or maintenance on this massage head 2.

[0035] The massage head 2 further comprises a housing 7 by means of which it can be securely attached to the handle 1. The housing 7 may, for example, be made of plastic. When the massage head 2 is attached to the handle 1, the housing 7 is a fixed element in the frame of reference of the handle 1.

[0036] The massage head 2 further includes a plate 8 (better seen in figures 3 and 4), circular in shape, and movable in rotation relative to the housing 7 around the first axis XL. The housing 7 includes an opening 10 of circular shape cooperating with an edge of the plate 8. The plate 8 can be a disc extending in a plane perpendicular to the first axis XL. The plate 8 can, for example, be made of plastic.

[0037] The plate 8 comprises a set of lights 9A, 9B, 9C. In particular, the plate 8 comprises a separate light for each massage finger 3A, 3B, 3C. According to the embodiment shown, the plate 8 therefore comprises three lights 9A, 9B, 9C. The lights 9A, 9B, 9C are openings through the thickness of the plate 8. Each light 9A, 9B, 9C comprises an arc-shaped, or in other words, a bean-shaped, form. Each massage finger 3A, 3B, 3C is connected to the transmission mechanism 5 by means of a rod passing through a light 9A, 9B, 9C. These rods are intended to move back and forth within these lights while the plate 8 pivots about the first axis XL

[0038] Lights 9A, 9B, and 9C may have identical shapes but be oriented differently. In particular, lights 9B and 9C have the same kidney-shaped form as light 9A but are rotated 120° and 240° respectively relative to light 9A. Thus, the three lights 9A, 9B, and 9C are arranged in a triskelion pattern.

[0039] With reference to [Fig. 4], the radius of curvature RI of each light 9A, 9B, 9C, that is, the radius of curvature RI of an arc of a circle extending from the center of the light, can, for example, be between 10 mm and 40 mm inclusive. The radius of curvature RI can be substantially equal to the radius of the disk forming the plate 8, or at least between 50% and 150% of the radius of the disk forming the plate 8. Each light 9A, 9B, 9C can be in the shape of an arc of a circle with an angle Al between 10° and 90° inclusive, preferably between 30° and 60° inclusive.

[0040] In [Fig.5], plate 8 has been masked to reveal the transmission mechanism 5 of the massage head 2. It is therefore understood that plate 8 covers the transmission mechanism 5, which makes it possible to protect it, in particular to prevent particles and / or a cosmetic agent from entering the transmission mechanism 5.

[0041] The transmission mechanism 5 includes a satellite carrier 13, a set of satellites 14A, 14B, 14C, in particular as many satellites as there are massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C (i.e. three satellites in the illustrated embodiment), and a crown 15.

[0042] The satellite carrier 13 (clearly visible individually in [Fig. 6]) is intended to be driven by the drive means integrated into the handle 1 around the first axis XL. For this purpose, it includes a second rotational linkage means adapted to cooperate with the first rotational linkage means 4. The second rotational linkage means may, for example, have a shape complementary to the first rotational linkage means 4. The satellite carrier 13 further includes three profiled openings 16A, 16B, 16C, with a circular cross-section. Each opening 16A, 16B, 16C is intended to accommodate a satellite 14A, 14B, 14C via a rotational linkage respectively around a second axis X2A, X2B, X2C. Each opening is formed in a cylindrical receptacle. The three receptacles of the satellite carrier 13 are connected by ribs 11.

[0043] The satellites 14A, 14B, 14C preferably have an identical shape. Satellite 14A is described with reference to [Fig. 7]. From bottom to top, satellite 14A first comprises a cylindrical portion 17 engaged in the opening 16A. This cylindrical portion is centered on the second axis X2A. The satellite 14A also includes a second cylindrical portion 18, centered on the second axis X2A and provided with external teeth 19 cooperating with internal teeth 20 of the crown 15. The satellite 14A further includes a third cylindrical portion 21, designed to extend under the plate 8. This third portion 21 separates the plate 8 from the external teeth 19 and the internal teeth 20. The satellite 14A then includes a fourth portion 22 designed to extend through the slot 9A. This fourth portion 22 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly smaller than the width of the slot 9A.The fourth portion 22 forms a rod supporting the massage finger 3A. Finally, the satellite 14A includes a fifth portion 23 designed to cooperate with an opening provided in the anterior face of the massage finger 3A, for attaching the massage finger 3A to the satellite 14A. The fifth portion 23 includes a flat 24 forming a means of rotational locking between the satellite 14A and the massage finger 3A. The fifth portion 23 also includes a groove 25 for forming an axial retainer for the massage finger 3A. The opening in the anterior face of the massage finger 3A. presents a form complementary to the fifth portion 23, so that the massage finger 3A is embedded with the satellite 14A. The fourth portion 22 and the fifth portion 23 are preferably eccentric with respect to the external dentition 19. The fourth portion 22 and the fifth portion 23 extend parallel to a third axis X3A, parallel to the second axis X2A, and distinct from the second X2A.

[0044] Thanks to this particular arrangement of the transmission mechanism 5, each massage finger is thus intended to move relative to the housing according to a movement composed of two rotational movements: a first rotational movement is centered around the axis XI and is generated by the rotation of the satellite carrier 13 around the first axis XL. A second rotational movement is centered around the axis X2A, X2B, X2C corresponding to the axis of rotation of each satellite relative to the satellite carrier 13. Each massage finger 3A, 3B, 3C thus describes a hypotrochoid trajectory.

[0045] The unique kinematics of the massage fingers allow for the treatment of a large area of ​​skin without having to move the massage head. Each massage finger follows a particularly complex path before returning to its original position. Thus, the surface area covered by the massage fingers during a single use of the massage device is particularly large. The massage head can be moved more slowly across the skin's surface, without the risk of locally overheating the skin. The massage device therefore promotes the penetration of the cosmetic agent while avoiding overheating the skin due to repeated movement of the massage fingers over the same area.

[0046] Alternatively, one or more components of the transmission mechanism 5 could be modified to provide a different kinematics for the massage fingers. According to a simplified version, the massage fingers could follow a simple rotational movement around a single axis, for example around the first axis XL

[0047] Fig. 8 also allows us to clearly visualize the arrangement of the different components of the transmission mechanism.

[0048] Advantageously, the massage head also includes an elastic means associated with each massage finger. This elastic means is configured to give each massage finger a certain degree of mobility parallel to the first axis XL. This makes it easier and more effective to massage all areas of the face, particularly when these areas have curved surfaces. In particular, according to the embodiment presented, the elastic means takes the form of a spring washer 26 or Belleville washer. Such a spring washer 26 is arranged between each satellite 14A, 14b, 14C and the satellite carrier 13, in particular between the second portion 18 of each satellite and an upper face of the receptacle of the satellite carrier 13 in which the first portion 17 is engaged. Alternatively, the elastic means could be arranged at another location on the massage head, for example between each satellite and its corresponding massage finger. The elastic element could also take a different shape than a spring washer, for example a rubber washer.

[0049] Furthermore, according to another advantageous aspect of the massage head, it comprises a set of protective elements 27A, 27B, 27C. The massage head includes, in particular, as many protective elements as there are massage fingers, that is to say, three protective elements according to the embodiment presented. Each protective element is designed to at least partially cover a corresponding light 9A, 9B, 9C, without hindering the movement of the massage fingers. The protective elements 27A, 27B, 27C thus prevent a cosmetic agent from penetrating the transmission mechanism 5, regardless of the position of the massage fingers. They also prevent the skin from being pinched between a massage finger and a corresponding light. However, the protective elements 27A, 27B, 27C do not impede the movement of the massage fingers.

[0050] The various protective elements can be identical. Protective element 27A is therefore now described in relation to Figures 9, 10, and 11. Protective element 27A is shown in isolation in [Fig. 9]. In [Fig. 10], the protective element is shown with the corresponding satellite 14A. In [Fig. 11], the protective element is shown with the plate 8.

[0051] The protective element 27A comprises a first tubular portion 28. This first portion 28 extends within the thickness of the plate 8, inside the opening 9A. Furthermore, the first portion 28 is arranged around a rod supporting the massage finger 3A, that is, around the fourth portion 22 of the satellite 14A. The first portion 28 therefore includes an opening 29 within which the fourth portion 22 of the satellite 14A extends. The massage finger 3A covers this opening 29. This opening 29 is therefore not visible or accessible from outside the massage head.

[0052] The protective element 27A is movable relative to the plate 8. The first portion 28 can move within the opening 9A. The first portion 28 comprises walls 31 extending parallel to the corresponding opening. The walls 31 are adapted to bear against the edges of the opening 9A. This allows the movement of the protective element relative to the plate 8 to be guided. The protective element moves within the opening 9A along the radius of curvature of this opening.

[0053] The protective element 27A comprises a second part 30 integral with the first part 28 and extending parallel to the plate 8. The protective element 27A is advantageously a one-piece element, for example manufactured by plastic injection molding. The second part 30 at least partially covers the corresponding light weighting. In particular, the first part covers all areas of light 9A that are not covered by the massage finger 3A. Thus, and as can be clearly seen in [Fig. 8], each area of ​​light 9A is covered by the massage finger 3A and / or by the second part 30 of the protective element 27A. Light 9A is therefore completely invisible and inaccessible from outside the massage head, regardless of the position of the massage finger relative to plate 8.

[0054] Furthermore, the light 9A and the protective element 27A are dimensioned so as not to protrude beyond the edges of the housing 7 and so as not to come into contact with any adjacent protective element, regardless of the position of the massage fingers relative to the housing. In particular, the second part 30 has a specially designed ovoid shape. This prevents any risk of the edge of the second part 30 striking any object, and / or of a user's skin becoming trapped between the second part 30 and the housing 7.

[0055] Advantageously, the protective element 27A is also movable relative to the massage finger 3A. To this end, and as can be clearly seen in [Fig. 10], the opening 29 through which the fourth portion 22 passes has dimensions larger than the diameter of the fourth portion 22. In particular, the opening 29 has an arc-shaped, or in other words, kidney-shaped, form. The radius R2 of the arc-shaped opening 29 is substantially equal to the radius RI of the opening 9A. The angle A2 of the arc of the opening 29 is strictly less than the angle AL. The mobility of the protective element 27A relative to the massage finger 3A makes it possible to limit the total range of movement of the protective element 27A. This helps to prevent an edge of the second portion 30 from protruding from the housing 7 for a given position of the massage finger 3A.This also helps to prevent the second parts 30 of two adjacent protective elements from coming into contact with each other. It is therefore understood that the angle A2 of the opening 29 is both large enough to effectively limit the range of movement of the protective element 27A relative to the plate 8, and small enough to ensure that the massage finger 3A covers the opening 29 regardless of its position. The length of the opening 29 can be less than or equal to the sum of the radius of the fourth portion 22 plus the radius of the massage finger 3A.

[0056] According to the embodiment presented, the three massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C have an identical shape. Alternatively, one or more massage fingers of the set of massage fingers could have a different shape from the other massage fingers.

[0057] A particular massage finger is now described, with reference to [Fig. 12] representing massage finger 3A. Massage finger 3A comprises a glo shape A hemispherical shape equipped with 32 radially protruding bumps. By "radially," we mean that the bumps protrude in a radial direction of the hemispherical shape, that is, parallel to a radius of the hemispherical shape. The bumps 29 allow for a mechanical action on the skin's surface that facilitates the penetration of a cosmetic agent.

[0058] Preferably, and in order to optimize the action of the bristles 32 on the skin, these bristles have a radial extension DI of 2 mm or less, preferably 1 mm or less. This radial extension DI can be measured between the free end of a bristle and the spherical shape from which the bristle extends. The radial extension of the bristles is therefore relatively small, which allows the spherical shape to also come into contact with the skin and exert an action on the skin in addition to the action of the bristles 32. Furthermore, such massage fingers are easier to clean because the space between the bristles is easily accessible.

[0059] Preferably, the prongs are evenly distributed on concentric circles C1, C2, C3 centered on the same axis. In particular, said same axis corresponds to a radius Rx of hemispherical shape, passing through a center Cx of a contact surface of said massage finger with the skin. This makes it possible to obtain a uniform mechanical action of the massage finger 3A with the skin regardless of the orientation of the massage finger.

[0060] According to a first embodiment, the massage finger 3A can be a single-piece element. According to a second embodiment, the massage finger 3A can be made by assembling at least two components. In particular, the massage finger 3A can comprise, on the one hand, a body intended to be attached to the satellite 14A, and on the other hand, a removable outer casing. This simplifies maintenance and / or cleaning operations. This also allows for the use of casings of different shapes and / or materials to perform different types of massage. In such a case, a retaining bead can be provided at the base of the hemispherical shape to effectively retain the casing.

[0061] Preferably, the outer surface of the massage finger, intended to come into contact with the skin, is a silicone surface. This ensures, on the one hand, comfort and a pleasant perception of movement for the person being treated, and on the other hand, good traction on the skin surface in order to produce the necessary deformations on the submillimeter scale.

[0062] Advantageously, the submillimeter scale of the superficial skin deformations, as well as the type of deformations produced by the massage head, promotes the transient permeabilization of the skin barrier. Thus, it has been discovered that the massage head improves the penetration of cosmetic agents compared to a manual massage, which produces deformations mainly of the compression type and on a millimeter or even centimeter scale.

[0063] To perform a cosmetic treatment on a patient's skin, a cosmetic agent, such as a cream or serum, can first be applied to the patient's skin. Then, the massage device can be used to help the cosmetic agent penetrate the patient's stratum corneum.

[0064] When the massage device is in operation, the rotating drive means integrated into the handle 1 rotates the satellite carrier 13 via the first and second rotating linkage means, for example, counterclockwise. Each satellite 14A, 14B, 14C thus rotates around the axis XL. Their external teeth 19 cooperate with the internal teeth 20 of the crown 15, which is itself fixed to the housing 7. In doing so, the satellites 14A, 14B, 14C also rotate clockwise around their respective second axes X2A, X2B, X2C. For each complete rotation of a satellite 14A, 14B, 14C around its second axis X2A, X2B, X2C, the fourth portion 22 of each satellite makes a round trip within the corresponding slot 9A, 9B, 9C. The corresponding massage finger therefore makes a back-and-forth movement along an arc-shaped trajectory.Regardless of the position of the massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C, the lights 9A, 9B, 9C remain covered by a massage finger and / or by a protective element 27A, 27B, 27C. This prevents any risk of pinching the skin and the cosmetic agent reaching the transmission mechanism 5.

[0065] As a note, the reaction force of the fourth portions 22 of each massage finger on the corresponding light 9A, 9B, 9C causes the plate 8 to rotate around the first axis XL. The plate 8 therefore does not need to be driven in rotation by the planet carrier 13. However, according to an alternative embodiment, a mechanical link could be provided between the planet carrier 13 and the plate 8 so as to limit the forces at the interface between the plate 8 and each fourth portion 22.

[0066] In conclusion, the transmission mechanism 5 is configured to rotate the massage fingers both around the first axis XI and, concomitantly, around their associated second axis X2A, X2B, X2C. Each massage finger thus describes a double rotational movement in the frame of reference of the housing 7. The first rotational movement can be uniform in the counterclockwise direction (or alternatively in the clockwise direction). The second rotational movement is a reciprocating rotational movement.

[0067] Although the rotational speed of the drive means is continuous, the massage fingers can move at a variable speed in the frame of reference of the housing 7 during a usage cycle of the massage device. This speed is greater when the massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C move generally in the same direction. than the satellite carrier 13. This speed is less significant when the massage fingers 3A, 3B, 3C move generally in the opposite direction to the satellite carrier 13 (i.e., the second rotational movement is oriented generally in the opposite direction to the first rotational movement). Such a variation in the speed of the massage fingers allows for more effective skin massage.

[0068] Furthermore, due to the multiple rotations performed by each massage finger, and thanks to the lubricating effect of the cosmetic agent, the massage fingers glide smoothly over the skin's surface. Consequently, the massage fingers cannot catch on the skin and do not risk pinching it, unlike massage devices whose massage fingers move in a linear fashion.

[0069] The massage fingers of the massage device, and in particular their bristles, thus enable shearing at the millimeter and submillimeter scale on the skin surface. This surface shearing deforms the stratum corneum and creates transient micro-defects or micro-channels in this outer layer of the skin, thereby promoting more effective penetration of cosmetic agents.

Claims

Demands

1. Massage head (2) comprising: - a housing (7) intended to be attached to a handle (1) provided with a drive means, - a set of massage fingers (3A, 3B, 3C) movable relative to the housing (7), the massage fingers comprising a generally hemispherical shape provided with radially projecting protrusions (32), - a transmission mechanism (5) coupled to the massage fingers and intended to cooperate with said drive means to move the massage fingers relative to the housing.

2. Massage head (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each massage finger (3A, 3B, 3C) is movable relative to the housing in a movement composed of at least one rotational movement.

3. Massage head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each massage finger is movable relative to the housing in a movement composed of at least two rotational movements around distinct axes.

4. Massage head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least three massage fingers (3A, 3B, 3C).

5. Massage head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said nodules comprise a radial extension (Dl) less than or equal to 2mm, preferably less than or equal to 1mm.

6. Massage head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said nubs (32) are distributed on concentric circles (Cl, C2, C3) centered on the same axis (Rx), said same axis corresponding to a radius of the hemispherical shape and passing through a center (Cx) of a contact surface of said massage head with the skin.

7. Massage head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each massage finger (3A, 3B, 3C) comprises an outer surface (28) made of silicone.

8. Massage head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each massage finger comprises a removable outer casing (28).

9. Massage apparatus comprising a massage head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and a handle (1) provided with a rotational drive means such as a motor, the transmission mechanism (5) of the massage head cooperating with the drive means of the handle.

10. Method of performing a cosmetic treatment, comprising: - the application of a cosmetic agent to the skin of a patient, then - the use of a massage device according to the preceding claim to make the cosmetic agent penetrate into the stratum corneum of the patient.

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