Sheet with finger-shaped pressure section and massage-function article including same

Abstract

A technology is provided that reduces the manufacturing costs of finger-shaped massage devices and at the same time makes it easier to develop a variety of sizes and / or types of massage devices. [Solution] A massage roller 9 has a sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing portions and a cylindrical member 91 to which the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing portions is fixed on the outer circumferential surface. The sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing portions has a base sheet 81 having a front and back surface, and at least one finger-shaped pressing portion F projecting from the front surface of the base sheet 81. The finger-shaped pressing portion F has a length in a finger length direction which is parallel to the front surface of the base sheet 81 or one of the directions along the front surface of the base sheet 81, and a width in a finger width direction which is perpendicular to the finger length direction. The finger-shaped pressing portion F is long in the finger length direction. The finger-shaped pressing portion F has a pressing surface at a height spaced from the front surface of the base sheet 81 to the front side. The pressing surface is long in the finger length direction.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet with finger-shaped pressure parts and an article with a massage function that includes the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Various massage tools have been developed and sold in the past. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tool that can apply gentle and uniform pressure to the human body. In particular, a two-bump roller is used, which has a shape similar to the curved surfaces of the pads of two thumbs when pressing, enhancing the massage effect.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a pillow-type massage machine. In particular, it discloses that the massage machine is provided with protrusions called massage fingers for acupressure on acupressure points on the shoulders. The massage fingers are made of rubber, resin, etc., and are shown as tapered cylindrical fingers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3133819 [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-325790 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to incorporate the shape of the finger that performs acupressure into a massage tool, it is necessary to design each product individually, which makes it difficult to reduce manufacturing costs. Furthermore, massage tool users have different physiques, and if the massage tool is to be made in several sizes (for example, large, medium, and small) to accommodate these differences, it becomes even more difficult to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0006] In view of the above, the inventors of the present application have discovered a new problem of providing a technology that reduces the manufacturing costs of finger-shaped massage devices while at the same time making it easier to develop a variety of sizes and / or types of massage devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base sheet having a front surface and a back surface, and at least one finger-shaped pressing part projecting from the front surface of the base sheet, the finger-shaped pressing part having a length in a finger length direction, which is one of the directions parallel to or along the front surface of the base sheet, and a width in a finger width direction perpendicular to the finger length direction, and being long in the finger length direction. At least one finger-shaped pressing part has a pressing surface at a height spaced apart from the front surface of the base sheet toward the front side, the pressing surface being long in the finger length direction, and having a surface shape warped toward the front side in a side view seen individually from the two directions of the finger length direction and the finger width direction. Preferably, the pressing surface is a surface conforming to the impression of a thumb made by a chiropractor.

[0008] An article with a massage function according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts. In some cases, the article with a massage function is a massage roller, and includes a sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts and a cylindrical member with the sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts fixed to the outer circumferential surface. The cylindrical member and the sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts are preferably manufactured in separate processes and combined. That is, it may be different from the manufacturing method of insert molding with the cylindrical member placed in the mold cavity.

[0009] In some cases, the article with massage function is a pillow with massage function, and includes a sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions, a main body portion on which the sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions is disposed or fixed, and a cover material that at least partially surrounds the main body portion with the sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions disposed or fixed relative to the main body portion.

[0010] In some embodiments, the sheet with finger-shaped press portions has a plurality of finger-shaped press portions as at least one finger-shaped press portion, the plurality of finger-shaped press portions being spaced apart from one another on the surface of the base sheet, and each of the plurality of finger-shaped press portions having a press surface.

[0011] In some embodiments, the plurality of finger impressions are regularly arranged within the plane of the surface of the base sheet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the finger impression sheet comprises silicone or ethylene vinyl acetate.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one finger-shaped pressing portion has an outer peripheral side formed on the outer periphery of the pressing surface, and the outer peripheral side includes left and right side surfaces whose spacing gradually decreases as the side surface moves away from the surface of the base sheet, and front and rear side surfaces whose spacing gradually decreases as the side surface moves away from the surface of the base sheet.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first plane that is flush with the front side of the front and rear sides and a second plane that is flush with the rear side of the front and rear sides intersect at a position that is farther away from the surface of the base sheet than the pressing surface, and a first distance from the surface of the base sheet to the intersection of the first and second planes is more than two times but not more than six times the maximum thickness of the finger-shaped pressing portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, a third plane, which is flush with the left side surface of the left and right sides, and a fourth plane, which is flush with the right side surface of the left and right sides, intersect at a position farther away from the surface of the base sheet than the pressing surface, and a second distance from the surface of the base sheet to the intersection of the third and fourth planes is more than two times but not more than six times the maximum thickness of the finger-shaped pressing portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the angle made by the first plane with respect to a first reference plane parallel to the finger width direction, the angle made by the second plane with respect to the first reference plane, the angle made by the third plane with respect to the second reference plane parallel to the finger length direction, and the angle made by the fourth plane with respect to the second reference plane are all equal.

[0017] In some embodiments, the base sheet has one or more grooves formed therein that separate the finger impressions into groups.

[0018] In some embodiments, the pressure surface comprises a freeform surface (in the finger length direction and / or finger width direction). In some embodiments, the pressure surface comprises mirror-symmetric anterior and posterior regions. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a technology can be provided that reduces the manufacturing costs of finger-shaped massage devices while simultaneously enabling a greater variety of sizes and / or types of massage devices to be more easily developed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a massaging article in the form of a massage roller, the view being drawn with accuracy conforming to a design drawing. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the massage roller shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the massage roller shown in FIG. 1, taken perpendicular to the central axis thereof. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a massage roller, perpendicular to its central axis, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing portion in the finger length direction (seen in the finger width direction). [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the massage roller in a plane including the central axis thereof, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing portion in the finger width direction (as viewed in the finger length direction). [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the surface of a sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts shown in FIG. 6, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing parts in the finger length direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a side view of the sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts shown in FIG. 6, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing parts in the finger width direction. [Figure 9]4A to 4C are schematic diagrams showing elastic deformation of finger-shaped pressing parts of a massage roller. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic flowchart showing a manufacturing process of a sheet with a finger-shaped pressing portion. [Figure 11] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a process for defining a pressing surface of a finger-shaped pressing part from scan data. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the process of defining the pressing surface of the finger-shaped pressing part from the scan data. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment in which the article with massage function is a pillow with massage function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, non-limiting embodiments and features of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment in which the article with massage function is a massage roller, and is drawn with accuracy according to a design drawing. FIG. 2 is a side view of the massage roller shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the massage roller shown in FIG. 1, perpendicular to the central axis. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the massage roller perpendicular to the central axis, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing part in the finger length direction. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the massage roller in a plane including the central axis, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing part in the finger width direction. FIG. 6 is a schematic surface diagram of a sheet with finger-shaped pressing part according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a side view of the sheet with finger-shaped pressing part shown in FIG. 6, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing part in the finger length direction. FIG. 8 is a side view of the sheet with finger-shaped pressing part shown in FIG. 6, showing the geometric shape of the finger-shaped pressing part in the finger width direction. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing elastic deformation of the finger-shaped pressing part of a massage roller. Fig. 10 is a schematic flow chart showing the manufacturing process of a sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts. Figs. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the work of defining the pressing surface of the finger-shaped pressing part from scan data. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment in which the product with massage function is a pillow with massage function.

[0022] 1 to 5 show an example of a massage roller 9 as an article with a massage function. The massage roller 9 has a cylindrical material 91 and a sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical material 91. The cylindrical material 91 is a hollow member having an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, and has sufficient mechanical strength, for example, an extrusion molded product or an injection molded product made of fiber-reinforced resin or the like. The sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts is attached to the entire outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical material 91. The sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts is an injection molded product (in other words, a single product) made of an elastic material such as silicone or ethylene vinyl acetate. The sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts has a base sheet 81 (see FIG. 3) having a front surface 85 as an outer surface and a back surface 86 as an inner surface when attached to the cylindrical material 91, and a plurality of finger-shaped pressing parts F protruding from the front surface 85 of the base sheet 81. The multiple finger-shaped pressing portions F are spaced apart from one another on the surface 85 of the base sheet 81, and are preferably arranged regularly within the surface (for example, in a matrix (M rows and N columns (M and N are natural numbers equal to or greater than 2))). Typically, the individual finger-shaped pressing portions F are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are parallel. It is also possible to arrange the individual finger-shaped pressing portions F diagonally with respect to the external shape of the base sheet 81 (for example, a rectangular external shape). Each finger-shaped pressing portion F is formed integrally with the base sheet 81, and there is no boundary between the two.

[0023] The massage roller 9 is arranged along its central axis CT center A number of slices S0 to S 14 (see FIG. 2), and has a length that changes depending on the number of slices. The number of slices is increased to manufacture a larger massage roller 9, and decreased to manufacture a smaller massage roller 9. In the present disclosure, the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts is a single item (injection molded product) independent of the cylindrical material 91, and as will be apparent from the description below, the size can be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the tool to which it is fixed or placed. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the finger-shaped massage tool (e.g., massage roller 9) and simultaneously promotes easier development of variations in size and / or type.

[0024] Preferably, each slice portion S0 to S 14 is the central axis CT of the massage roller 9 center The massage roller 9 has a plurality of finger-shaped pressure parts F arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis CT. The number of finger-shaped pressure parts F included in one slice does not have to be an even number, but may be an odd number. It is not essential that the number of finger-shaped pressure parts F included in different slices is the same, and for example, the number of finger-shaped pressure parts F may differ between adjacent slices. Optimally, the massage roller 9 has a central axis CT center One slice S0 at one end is translated at a constant pitch to the remaining slices S1 to S 14 This promotes a more uniform massage effect regardless of the contact position of the massage roller 9 on the human body. Typically, each slice portion S0 to S 14 The number of finger-shaped pressing parts F included in the range of 6 to 12.

[0025] Next, the geometric shape and arrangement of the finger-shaped pressing portion F in the massage roller 9 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. As shown in Fig. 3, the finger-shaped pressing portion F is long in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical material 91. The finger-shaped pressing portion F has a length in the finger length direction and a width in the finger width direction perpendicular to the finger length direction, with the length being greater than the width. In Fig. 3, the finger length direction of the finger-shaped pressing portion F coincides with the circumferential direction of the cylindrical material 91, and the width direction of the finger-shaped pressing portion F coincides with the central axis CT of the cylindrical material 91. center 9. Therefore, as described above, the finger pressing portion F is elongated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member 91, which is equal to the finger length direction. The finger length direction is one of the directions parallel to the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 or along the surface 85 of the base sheet 81.

[0026] In FIG. 3, the central axis CT of the massage roller 9 center The individual finger-type pressing parts F are arranged equiangularly in an angle range of 360° with respect to 00 ~F 07Reference planes RL0 to RL7 are set at the center position in the longitudinal direction of the slice. The angle between adjacent reference planes among the reference planes RL0 to RL7 is 45° in the illustrated example, but increases or decreases in proportion to the increase or decrease in the number of finger-shaped pressing parts F included in the slice. The finger-shaped pressing parts F included in the same slice are not connected in the circumferential direction, and a gap SP is formed between adjacent finger-shaped pressing parts F in the circumferential direction, and the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 is exposed between them. Each finger-shaped pressing part F is shaped as an independent island part, and the elasticity, resilience, or flexibility of each finger-shaped pressing part F can be effectively ensured. In addition, the image of finger pressure can be effectively given to the user. Of course, the finger-shaped pressing parts F can be connected to each other in the circumferential direction by thin ribs, but there is a risk that the elastic deformation of the finger-shaped pressing parts F in a manner suitable for the purpose of finger pressure may be slightly reduced.

[0027] The finger length direction of the finger pressing portion F does not necessarily have to be the same as the circumferential direction of the cylindrical material 91. In some cases, the finger length direction of the finger pressing portion F is equal to a direction that obliquely intersects with the circumferential direction of the cylindrical material 91. In other cases, the finger length direction of the finger pressing portion F is equal to a direction that obliquely intersects with the central axis CT of the cylindrical material 91. center In this case, because the finger-shaped pressing portions F are narrow, the number of finger-shaped pressing portions F included in one slice portion increases.

[0028] The finger-shaped pressing part F has a pressing surface 61 at a height spaced from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 toward the front side, and an outer peripheral side surface 62 formed on the outer periphery of the pressing surface. The pressing surface 61 is long in the finger length direction, and has a surface shape that is warped toward the front side (for example, in a bow shape) in side view seen individually from two directions, the finger length direction and the finger width direction (see Figs. 4 and 5). In some cases, the pressing surface 61 is a geometrically symmetrical surface, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be a free-form surface. In other words, the geometric symmetry of the pressing surface 61 is not essential. This point will become clear from the explanation below. The outer peripheral side surface 62 rises from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 and connects the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 and the pressing surface 61. The outer peripheral side surface 62 has front and rear side surfaces 62p, 62q whose interval gradually decreases as it moves away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 (see FIG. 4), and left and right side surfaces 62r, 62s whose interval gradually decreases as it moves away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 (see FIG. 5). For ease of explanation, in FIG. 4, the counterclockwise direction is the front, and the clockwise direction is the rear. In addition, in FIG. 5, the central axis CT of the cylindrical material 91 center The direction parallel to the axis of the base sheet 81 is defined as the left-right direction. Just to be clear, the outer peripheral side surface 62 is provided to position the pressing surface 61 at a desired height from the base sheet 81. Also, unlike the pressing surface 61, it is typically not a surface that conforms to the impression of the thumb of a chiropractor.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, a first plane L1 is set on the same plane as the front side surface 62p of the finger-shaped pressing portion F, and a second plane L2 is set on the same plane as the rear side surface 62q of the finger-shaped pressing portion F. The first plane L1 is angled θ p The second plane L2 forms an angle θ q Preferably, the angle θ p and angle θ q are substantially equal, which provides symmetry in the shape of the finger pressing portion F and avoids the need for a complex mold cavity for molding the finger pressing portion F (which can also facilitate smooth release of the injection molded product from the mold). Note that being substantially equal means that one value is within ±3% of the other value.

[0030] The first plane L1 and the second plane L2 are located at a position farther away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 than the pressing surface 61 (i.e., the intersection point C pq ) from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 to the intersection point C pq The first distance to the finger-shaped pressing portion F is more than twice but not more than six times the maximum thickness of the finger-shaped pressing portion F. This allows the length of the pressing surface 61 of the finger-shaped pressing portion F to be sufficiently secured.

[0031] The finger-shaped pressing portion F has a height that varies in the finger length direction. In detail, the front side surface 62p of the finger-shaped pressing portion F moves away (linearly) from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends backward toward the pressing surface 61. Similarly, the rear side surface 62q of the finger-shaped pressing portion F moves away (linearly) from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends forward toward the pressing surface 61. The front side surface 62p and the rear side surface 62q approach each other as they move away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81, that is, they form tapered surfaces. The pressing surface 61 gradually moves away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends from the front side surface 62p toward the rear side surface 62q, and after reaching the position farthest from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81, it gradually moves closer to the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends toward the rear side surface 62q. Although not necessarily limited to this, the pressing surface 61 is shaped to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the reference plane RL0, i.e., the front area in front of the reference plane RL0 and the rear area behind the reference plane RL0 are in a mirror-symmetrical relationship. Of course, this is not a limitation, and the pressing surface 61 may be a free-form surface in the finger length direction.

[0032] In the finger-shaped pressing portion F, a front edge E2 is formed between the front side surface 62p and the pressing surface 61, and a rear edge E3 is formed between the rear side surface 62q and the pressing surface 61 (see FIG. 4). The front side surface 62p and the pressing surface 61 form an obtuse angle, and the rear side surface 62q and the pressing surface 61 form an obtuse angle. In this way, the front edge E2 and the rear edge E3 are prevented from strongly contacting the human skin. The height H2 of the front edge E2 from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 is equal to the height H3 of the rear edge E3 from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81, but this is not necessarily the case. The acute angle between the front side surface 62p and the peripheral surface (or the tangent thereto) including the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 is typically within a range of 30° to 75°. The same applies to the rear side surface 62q.

[0033] In the circumferential direction of the massage roller 9 (the finger length direction of the finger-shaped pressing portion F), the front side 62p is formed at an angle θ1, the pressing surface 61 is formed at an angle θ2+θ4, and the rear side 62q is formed at an angle θ3. The angle θ1 is equal to the angle θ3. The angle θ2+θ4 is greater than the sum of the angles θ1 and θ3, for example, greater than three times and less than nine times. This allows the length of the pressing surface 61 of the finger-shaped pressing portion F to be sufficiently secured.

[0034] Next, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 5. A third plane L3 is set on the same plane as the left side surface 62r of the finger-shaped pressing portion F, and a fourth plane L4 is set on the same plane as the right side surface 62s of the finger-shaped pressing portion F. The central axis CT of the massage roller 9 center A slice plane L is arranged at a position perpendicular to the pressing surface 61 and at the maximum height of the pressing surface 61. SO The third plane L3 is the slice plane L SO With respect to the angle θ r The fourth plane L4 is a slice plane L SO With respect to the angle θ s Preferably, the angle θ r and angle θ s are substantially equal, which provides symmetry in the shape of the finger pressing portion F and avoids the need for a complicated mold cavity for molding the finger pressing portion F (which can also promote smooth release of the injection molded product from the mold).

[0035] The third plane L3 and the fourth plane L4 are located at a position farther away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 than the pressing surface 61 (i.e., the intersection point C rs ) from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 to the intersection point C rs The second distance to the finger-shaped pressing portion F is more than twice but not more than six times the maximum thickness of the finger-shaped pressing portion F. This allows the width of the pressing surface 61 of the finger-shaped pressing portion F to be sufficiently secured.

[0036] The finger pressing portion F has a height that changes in the finger width direction. In detail, the left side surface 62r of the finger pressing portion F moves away (linearly) from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends rightward toward the pressing surface 61. Similarly, the right side surface 62s of the finger pressing portion F moves away (linearly) from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends leftward toward the pressing surface 61. The left side surface 62r and the right side surface 62s approach each other as they move away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81, that is, they form tapered surfaces. The pressing surface 61 gradually moves away from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends from the left side surface 62r toward the right side surface 62s, and after reaching the position farthest from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81, it gradually moves toward the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 as it extends toward the right side surface 62s. Although not necessarily so, the pressing surface 61 may be located at a position closer to the slice surface L. SO That is, the slice plane L SO The left area and slice plane L SO Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressing surface 61 may be a free-form surface in the finger width direction.

[0037] In the finger-shaped pressing portion F, a left edge E4 is formed between the left side surface 62r and the pressing surface 61, and a right edge E5 is formed between the right side surface 62s and the pressing surface 61. The left side surface 62r and the pressing surface 61 form an obtuse angle, and the right side surface 62s and the pressing surface 61 form an obtuse angle. In this way, the left edge E4 and the right edge E5 are prevented from strongly contacting the human skin. The height H4 of the left edge E4 from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 is equal to the height H5 of the right edge E5 from the surface 85 of the base sheet 81, but this is not necessarily the case. The acute angle between the left side surface 62r and the plane on which the surface 85 of the base sheet 81 exists is typically within a range of 30° to 75°. The same applies to the right side surface 62s.

[0038] If yes, angle θ r and angle θ s In both cases, the angle θ p and angle θ q In another case, the above angle θ p , angle θ q , angle θ r , and angle θ s are all equal. In some cases, the heights H2 and H3 are smaller than the heights H4 and H5 (or their maximum values). In other cases, the heights H2, H3, H4, and H5 are all equal. In any case, the angles and heights are preferably set to promote symmetry in the shape of the finger pressing portion F, which avoids the complexity of the mold cavity for molding the finger pressing portion F (which may also promote smooth release of the injection molded product from the mold).

[0039] In the process of attaching the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts to the cylindrical material 91, the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts may be stretched, and the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts may be fixed in a stretched state to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical material 91. In this case, each finger-shaped pressing part F is slightly stretched in the finger length direction. Accordingly, the maximum length of the pressing surface 61 may vary slightly.

[0040] Next, the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts will be described before it is attached to the cylindrical material 91. As shown in Fig. 6, the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts has 2 rows and 8 columns of finger-shaped pressure parts F, with 8 finger-shaped pressure parts F per row and 2 finger-shaped pressure parts F per column. The massage roller 9 shown in Fig. 1 uses 8 x 15 = 120 finger-shaped pressure parts F, and therefore 7 and a half sheets 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts are used.

[0041] The base sheet 81 of the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts has a substantially rectangular shape and is formed with a substantially constant thickness within its plane. The base sheet 81 has a rectangular shape with two parallel short sides and two parallel long sides. The base sheet 81 has grooves G1 and G2 for dividing the multiple finger-shaped pressing parts F into multiple groups. The groove G1 extends continuously or intermittently between the middle position of one long side of the base sheet 81 and the middle position of the other long side to connect the two. The groove G2 extends continuously or intermittently between the middle position of one short side of the base sheet 81 and the middle position of the other short side to connect the two. The groove G1 and the groove G2 can intersect at the center of the base sheet 81. The base sheet 81 can be divided into four by cutting the base sheet 81 along both the groove G1 and the groove G2, that is, four sheets each including four finger-shaped pressing parts F can be obtained from one sheet including 16 finger-shaped pressing parts F. By cutting the base sheet 81 along either the groove G1 or the groove G2, the base sheet 81 can be divided into two. In this manner, the required number of finger-type pressing portions F can be easily secured.

[0042] The finger length direction of the finger pressing part F is set parallel to the short sides of the rectangular base sheet 81, and the finger width direction of the finger pressing part F is set parallel to the long sides of the rectangular base sheet 81. The finger length direction and finger width direction of the finger pressing part F are parallel to the plane on which the base sheet 81 exists, and are also parallel to the surface 85 of the base sheet 81. As described above, the finger length direction and finger width direction of the finger pressing part F are in an orthogonal relationship.

[0043] The geometric shape of the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing portions not attached to the cylindrical member 91 is as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. As shown in FIG. 6, the finger-shaped pressing portion F has a shape in which the central portion in the finger length direction is slightly constricted, thereby promoting its smooth elastic deformation. As shown in the drawing, the finger-shaped pressing portion F has a central portion P1, a front end portion P2, and a rear end portion P3, each having widths W1, W2, and W3, satisfying W1 < W2 and W1 < W3. Regarding FIGS. 7 and 8, the same explanations regarding the above-described angles θ p , θ q , θ r , and θ s apply, and redundant explanations are omitted. Similarly, the same explanations regarding the above-described heights H2, H3, H4, and H5 apply, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, the same explanations regarding the above-described angle θ 1~4 apply, and redundant explanations are omitted. The difference between the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing portions in the state attached to the cylindrical member 91 shown in FIG. 1 and the single sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing portions before attachment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is that in the former, the finger length direction coincides with the circumferential direction, and in the latter, the finger length direction coincides with the direction parallel to the surface 85 of the base sheet 81. However, in any case, it can be said that the finger length direction is the direction along the surface 85 of the base sheet 81.

[0044] The elastic deformation of the finger-shaped pressing part F will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The finger-shaped pressing part F is a solid (possibly hollow) resin part having elasticity, resilience, and / or flexibility. When an external force acts on the pressing surface 61 of the finger-shaped pressing part F, the finger-shaped pressing part F deforms toward the base sheet 81, and when the external force is removed, the finger-shaped pressing part F elastically returns to its original shape. Consider the external force applied to the finger-shaped pressing part F as an external force vector. When an external force vector is applied to the pressing surface 61 at the position of the length center of the pressing surface 61 as shown in FIG. 9(a), the pressing surface 61 is recessed near the position of the length center, and as a reaction to this, the front region and the rear region are warped in a convex shape. When an external force vector is applied to the rear region of the pressing surface 61 as shown in FIG. 9(b), the pressing surface 61 is recessed in the rear region, and as a reaction to this, the pressing surface 61 is warped in a convex shape in the front region. As shown in FIG. 9(c), when an external force vector is applied to the front region of the pressing surface 61, the pressing surface 61 is concave in the front region, and as a reaction to this, the pressing surface 61 is warped in a convex shape in the rear region. Although not shown, the finger-shaped pressing portion F may be deformed slightly wider at the position where the external force vector is applied. In either case, it elastically returns to its original shape when the application of the external force vector is removed. Such a finger-shaped pressing portion F is determined mainly by the elastic material (e.g., silicone or ethylene vinyl acetate) of the sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing portion, and this allows the finger-shaped pressing portion F to be given the same (or similar) elasticity, resilience, and / or flexibility as a human finger.

[0045] As described above, the pressing surface 61 of the finger-shaped pressing part F is a geometrically symmetric surface or a free-form surface. In order to maximize the role that the finger-shaped pressing part F should play, the three-dimensional shape of the outer surface of the finger-shaped pressing part F, particularly the three-dimensional shape of the pressing surface, is important. For this purpose, it is optimal to reproduce with high accuracy the ventral surface of the thumb of a manipulative therapist who is active and highly regarded by customers. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 10, first, a mold of the thumb of the manipulative therapist is taken, and in particular, data showing the three-dimensional shape of the ventral surface of the thumb in a bent state during the finger pressure is obtained. The mold has a transfer surface that corresponds to the ventral surface of the thumb. Next, this transfer surface is three-dimensionally scanned to obtain point cloud data (data showing a three-dimensional shape) that represents the surface shape of the ventral surface of the thumb. Next, the scan data is processed using any software. In the case shown in FIG. 11, a geometrically symmetric surface that approximates the free-form surface shown by the point cloud data is calculated, and this is set as the pressing surface 61. In the case shown in FIG. 12, the free curved surface itself shown by the point cloud data is set as the pressing surface 61. As described above, the finger pressing part F has not only a pressing surface but also an outer peripheral side surface. Therefore, (using a software application) the outer peripheral surface (data for defining the outer peripheral surface) may be connected to the pressing surface 61 (data showing the three-dimensional shape) to define the molding cavity of the finger pressing part F (data generation work showing the molding cavity). After defining the molding cavity of one finger pressing part F, a plurality of finger pressing parts F can be regularly arranged and combined with the molding space of a common base sheet 81. Software applications available on the market can be used for mold manufacturing. In addition, there is no particular limitation on the hardware for executing the software application, and a general (standalone or network-connected) computer having a CPU and memory can be used. In this way, design data for the mold for injection molding is obtained. Next, the mold is actually created based on the design data. The mold can be manufactured by a mold manufacturer. Next, this mold is set in an injection molding machine to mass-produce sheets 8 with finger-shaped pressing portions.

[0046] As can be seen from the above description, in the present disclosure, a massage tool is manufactured using a sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressing parts that can be used arbitrarily or in a variety of ways, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of massage tools having a finger shape and facilitating the development of a variety of sizes and / or types. In addition, by shaping the pressing surface 61 so that it has a surface shape that curves toward the front side in side view seen individually from two directions, the finger length direction and the finger width direction, in short, by shaping the pressing surface 61 based on the three-dimensional shape data of the finger of a massage therapist, a massage tool with higher commercial value can be provided.

[0047] 13 shows a pillow with massage function using sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts, which has sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts (injection molded product), main body 181 on which sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts is arranged or fixed, and cover material 182 that surrounds main body 181 with sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts arranged or fixed to main body 181. Not limited to this example, sheet 8 with finger-shaped pressure parts can be used for various items such as sandals, shoes, bags, chairs, bedding mats, yoga mats, etc.

[0048] In light of the above disclosure, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to each feature and each embodiment. The number of finger-shaped pressing parts F included in one sheet with finger-shaped pressing parts does not necessarily have to be two or more, and may be one.

[0049] The present specification also discloses the following invention. A method for designing an article with a massage function includes obtaining data showing the three-dimensional shape of the pad of a thumb in a warped state, and determining the shape of a molding cavity for a finger-shaped pressing part of the article with a massage function based on at least the data. The molding cavity may have a shape suitable for molding the next finger-shaped pressing part (i.e., the next finger-shaped pressing part is molded by injection molding): the finger-shaped pressing part has a pressing surface at a height spaced from the surface of the base sheet toward the front side, the pressing surface being long in the finger length direction, and having a surface shape warped toward the front side in a side view seen individually from two directions, the finger length direction and the finger width direction. The molding cavity may have a shape suitable for molding the next finger-shaped pressing part: the finger-shaped pressing part has an outer peripheral side formed on the outer periphery of the pressing surface, and the outer peripheral side includes left and right side surfaces whose spacing gradually decreases as they are spaced apart from the surface of the base sheet, and front and rear side surfaces whose spacing gradually decreases as they are spaced apart from the surface of the base sheet.

[0050] The present specification also discloses the following invention: A method for manufacturing an article with a massage function includes manufacturing an article having at least one finger-shaped press part (for example, a sheet with a finger-shaped press part) using a mold having the molding cavity obtained based on the above design method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 8: Sheet with finger-shaped pressure part 9: Massage roller 61: Pressing surface 62: Outer periphery 81: Base sheet 85: Surface 86: Back side 91: Cylindrical material F: Finger-type pressing part G1: Groove G2: Groove L1: 1st plane L2: 2nd plane L3: 3rd plane L4 : 4th plane

Claims

1. A base sheet having a front surface and a back surface; At least one finger-shaped pressing portion is provided on the surface of the base sheet in a protruding manner, the at least one finger-shaped pressing portion having a length in a finger length direction which is parallel to the surface of the base sheet or one of the directions along the surface of the base sheet, and a width in a finger width direction perpendicular to the finger length direction, and being elongated in the finger length direction; A sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions, wherein at least one of the finger-shaped pressure portions has a pressure surface at a height spaced apart from the surface of the base sheet toward the front side, the pressure surface being elongated in the finger length direction and having a surface shape that curves toward the front side when viewed from the side individually from two directions, the finger length direction and the finger width direction.

2. A sheet with finger-shaped pressure sections as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one finger-shaped pressure section has a plurality of finger-shaped pressure sections, the plurality of finger-shaped pressure sections are provided spaced apart from each other on the surface of the base sheet, and each of the plurality of finger-shaped pressure sections has the pressure surface.

3. The sheet with finger-shaped impressions according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of finger-shaped impressions are regularly arranged within the plane of the front surface of the base sheet.

4. The sheet with finger-shaped impressions according to claim 3 , wherein the sheet with finger-shaped impressions contains silicone or ethylene vinyl acetate.

5. The sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one finger-shaped pressure portion has an outer peripheral side surface formed on the outer periphery of the pressure surface, and the outer peripheral side surface includes left and right side surfaces whose spacing gradually decreases as the side surface moves away from the surface of the base sheet, and front and rear side surfaces whose spacing gradually decreases as the side surface moves away from the surface of the base sheet.

6. A sheet with a finger-shaped pressure portion as described in claim 5, wherein a first plane that is flush with the front side of the front and rear sides and a second plane that is flush with the rear side of the front and rear sides intersect at a position that is farther away from the surface of the base sheet than the pressure surface, and a first distance from the surface of the base sheet to the intersection of the first plane and the second plane is more than twice but not more than six times the maximum thickness of the finger-shaped pressure portion.

7. A sheet with a finger-shaped pressure portion as described in claim 6, wherein a third plane that is flush with the left side surface of the left and right side surfaces and a fourth plane that is flush with the right side surface of the left and right side surfaces intersect at a position farther away from the surface of the base sheet compared to the pressing surface, and a second distance from the surface of the base sheet to the intersection of the third plane and the fourth plane is more than twice but not more than six times the maximum thickness of the finger-shaped pressure portion.

8. 8. The sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions according to claim 7, wherein an angle of the first plane relative to a first reference plane parallel to the finger width direction, an angle of the second plane relative to the first reference plane, an angle of the third plane relative to a second reference plane parallel to the finger length direction, and an angle of the fourth plane relative to the second reference plane are all equal.

9. The sheet with finger-shaped pressure sections according to claim 2 , wherein the base sheet has one or more grooves formed therein for dividing the plurality of finger-shaped pressure sections into a plurality of groups.

10. The sheet with finger-shaped pressing portions according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing surface includes a free-form surface.

11. The sheet with finger-shaped pressing portions according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing surface includes mirror-symmetric front and rear regions.

12. An article with a massage function, comprising the sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. 13. The article with massage function according to claim 12, which is a massage roller and comprises the sheet with finger-shaped pressing portions and a cylindrical member having the sheet with finger-shaped pressing portions fixed to its outer circumferential surface.

14. The article with massage function is a pillow with massage function, and comprises a sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions, a main body portion on which the sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions is arranged or fixed, and a cover material that at least partially surrounds the main body portion with the sheet with finger-shaped pressure portions arranged or fixed to the main body portion.

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