Patent Application
20230276924
The present invention relates to a cosmetic mask that is configured to be worn on the face of a user to give stimulation and a cosmetic electric stimulator, and particularly relates to a technique that makes it easy to wear the cosmetic mask and improves a cosmetic effect.
A mask for applying electric stimulation to various muscles of a user's face is conventionally known.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a cosmetic mask including a mask body section covering a face, the mask body section is made of silicon, have openings at positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and have an electrode section on an inner surface of the mask body.
Further, Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique including elastic base material covering a face, the elastic base material made of silicon, have openings at positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and have a stimulation electrode section at location to which electric stimulation is applied, and states that the technique is effective for face lift-up.
Patent Literature 3 discloses a cosmetic device including an operation member covering a face. It is described that the operation member has a cover section made of silicon, a conductor in which an electrode is formed around the cheek, and openings at positions of eyes, the nose, and the mouth.
Patent Literature 4 discloses a treatment mask including a mask body covering a face, having openings at positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and having an electrode on an inner surface of the mask body. Further, it describes that the mask body is made of a silicone rubber material, and that the mask body deforms under its own weight to uniformly adhere to the skin.
Patent Literature 5 discloses a prior art partly by the applicant of the present application and a configuration of a cosmetic mask that is configured to be worn on the face of a user and cover at least the cheek, the cosmetic mask including a pair of stimulators that provides electric or ultrasonic stimulation to a location corresponding to at least one of the zygomatic muscle and the masseter muscle of the user, and a stimulator fitting section for fitting the stimulators on the positions of the cheeks, in which at least a part of the stimulators is detachably attached. In this literature, it is proposed to include left and right attachments to be attached while applying a tensile force to the left and right sides of the face for wearing the mask, and upper and lower attachments to be attached while applying a tensile force from the lower surface of the mandible bone to the top of the head through both sides of the face.
According to the above-described conventional techniques, it is known that openings are provided at the positions of eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and an electrode that electrically stimulates the cheek area is provided, but it is not conceived to correspond to the positions and characteristics of individual muscles. In particular, the electrodes on the cheek section are too large, and they may give inappropriate stimulation. Furthermore, inadequate elasticity of the mask failed to give appropriate tightening effect when worn, and masks having both wearability and a tightening effect have not been provided.
Although the technique of Patent Literature 5 attempts to solve these problems, fixation by the two attachments is slightly complicated, and face outline lift-up effect and the range of stimulation and strength thereof left a room for improvement.
In view of the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic mask that can be easily worn and removed and has an enhanced cosmetic effect, and an electric stimulator applicable to the cosmetic mask.
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following cosmetic mask.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a cosmetic mask worn on the face of a user is provided, which is made of a flexible elastic material, and formed in a substantial band shape to be wrapped around the occiput from the chin tip through the right and left cheeks, the cosmetic mask including a mouth periphery that covers at least the location corresponding to the mouth with an opening, a mandible section that covers the chin tip and at least a part of a lower surface of the mandible, a cheek section that partly covers the cheek, and a wrap-around section that is wrapped around the lateral sides of the face and the occiput. Further, the cosmetic mask includes a pair of stimulators that provides electric or ultrasonic stimulation to a location corresponding to at least one of the zygomatic muscles and the masseter muscle of a user, and a stimulator fitting section that fits each of the stimulators in the cheek sections.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, in the cosmetic mask, the wrap-around section may be split at the top of the occiput, and may be fastened by a hook-and-loop fastener.
According to a third embodiment of the invention, it may be configured that the width in lateral view of the face from the lower edge of the opening in the mouth periphery to a neck-side end of the mandible section, the cheeks, and the wrap-around section, respectively, are all of substantially equal width in lateral view.
According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a nosepiece matching at least a convex shape of the nose may be provided above the mouth periphery.
According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, a tab may be provided at the neck-side end of the mandible section to pull it toward the neck when the cosmetic mask is worn.
According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the stimulator that provides electric stimulation may include a current generator that generates a current and two or more electrode sections radially extending from the current generator, and the current generator may be configured to include a controller that controls a current and a power supply section that supplies electricity.
According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, electrode sections may include a first electrode extending in the direction of the temporomandibular joint when the cosmetic mask is worn, a second electrode extending in the direction of the opening, and a third electrode extending in the direction of the mandible section.
According to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the electrode sections may be formed to be curved from the base of the current generator toward a skin contact surface.
According to a ninth embodiment of the invention, the above stimulator fitting section may be configured to comprise a current generator region in which the above current generator is fitted in and at least a part of which is exposed on the surface of the mask, and an electrode region in which the above electrode section is fitted in and exposed only on the skin contact surface.
According to a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the cosmetic mask is integrally molded and made of resin material, and hardness of the material may be changed depending on locations.
According to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, a cosmetic electric stimulator may be provided.
That is, a cosmetic electric stimulator that electrically stimulate the skin surface of a user comprising a current generator that generates an electric current and two or more electrode sections extending radially from the current generator, and the current generator includes a controller that controls the current and a power supply section that supplies electricity.
According to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, a cosmetic electric stimulator in which the electrode sections are formed to be curved from a base from the current generator toward a skin contact surface may be provided.
The cosmetic mask is formed as an abbreviated band that wraps around the occiput from the chin tip through the right and left cheeks, allowing the cosmetic mask to be applied easily in a single operation and precisely aligned with the prescribed location to be stimulated by fitting in the chin tip.
In the meantime, wrap-around section splits at the occiput and made detachable and attachable with a hook-and-loop fastener, allowing for single operation.
Configuring each width of the upper cheek section and the wrap-around section in lateral view to be all substantially equal to the width from the lower edge of the mouth periphery to the neck-side end of the mandible section from the lateral view of the face contributes to comfortable wearability as specific locations become pressure free and improves aesthetics of the appearance.
As described above, the present invention can provide a cosmetic mask that can be easily attached and detached, aesthetic, and has an enhanced cosmetic effect, and an electric stimulator applicable to the cosmetic mask.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples illustrated in the drawings. Note that the embodiments are not limited to the following.
A cosmetic mask of the present invention is a cosmetic mask which is configured to be worn on the face of a user, and to cover at least the cheeks. For example, the cosmetic mask is preferably made of a flexible elastic material such as silicon or natural rubber. In particular, silicon is optimal for use in contact with the skin and in terms of tightening strength, as it is widely used for medical purposes.
In the following examples, a stimulator including electrodes that electrically stimulates the zygomatic muscle and the masseter muscle is illustrated as the stimulator, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Although the configuration in which the electrical stimulation is applied as a zygomatic muscle stimulator or a masseter muscle stimulator has been described, ultrasonic stimulation can be applied as a cosmetic method as known, and ultrasonic waves may be used as the stimulator of the present invention. It may be configured to provide electrical stimulation and ultrasonic stimulation therapy.
The mouth periphery (10) with a predetermined width is an opening around the red lips and is formed to contact the skin around the periphery. In the present embodiment, the distance from the chin tip (A) to the lower edge of the opening is about 33 mm and the distance to the upper edge is about 67 mm. However, for better wearability of the mask body (1) and applying appropriate pressure on the skin, the distance to the lower edge is preferably in a range of 25 mm to 50 mm, and to the upper edge is preferably in a range of 55 mm to 85 mm.
Further, the nosepiece (14) may be formed in a three-dimensional form that conforms to the shape of the nose. By fitting the nosepiece (14) and the chin tip (A) to the face, the cosmetic mask can be easily centered when worn, the upper and lower parts fit the convex shape of the face at the front side of the face or the better fit of the mask.
When a nosepiece (14) is provided, a concave upper edge (15) is formed from the top edge of the nosepiece (14) to both sides to avoid the eyes, and extends to the wrap-around section (13) by forming a smooth curve.
The continuous shape from the nosepiece (14) to the upper edge (15) and the wrap-around section (13) improves aesthetics giving a neat impression and covers the lower half of the face widely, preventing slack and protrusion of the skin from the mask.
In the present invention, a configuration without a nosepiece (14) is feasible, and a configuration of a mask body (1) can be wrapped around the face from the chin tip (A) to the occiput.
When a part continuing to the cheek section (12) from the nosepiece (14) is removed, each of widths (L2) and (L3) of the cheek section (12) and the wrap-around section (13) in lateral view is substantially equal to a width (L1) from a lower edge (10a) of the opening in the mouth periphery (10) to a neck-side end (11a) of the mandible section in lateral view of the face.
According to the present configuration, the mask is less likely to be twisted or budge because the mask body (1) is pulled up straight from the mandible section (11) to the wrap-around section (13) via the cheek section (12), and its substantially equal width distributes pressure over the skin surface, that prevent skin wrinkle and bring a good cosmetic effect.
In the present embodiment, an ear section (16) corresponding to the ear also ensures ventilation with a plurality of small pores. Conventionally, a large opening is provided in the ear section that surrounds the ear was well-known, but a narrow section might get entangled in hair or press on the carotid artery. The configuration of the present invention has a sufficiently wide band shape that solves these issues.
In the mandible section (11), the distance from the chin tip (A) to the neck-side end (11a) of the mandible section is about 57 mm. In the present invention, mask body (1) is held firmly by the tensile force due to elasticity between the chin and the occiput, the mandible section (11) is in contact with a sufficient width, so that the user feels less pressure. From this viewpoint, the length of the location is preferably 40 mm or more.
In the present invention, the mask body (1) is configured to have an elastic band shape and be substantially straight, but preferably, the wrap-around section (13) may be slightly tilted forward from a center line passing through the mouth periphery (10), the mandible section (11), and the chin tip (A) of the cheek section (12).
In the present embodiment, an angle between a virtual line passing through the center of a stimulator fitting section (18) from the chin tip (A) and a virtual line passing through the center of the wrap-around section (13) in the width direction is about 165 degrees. By setting the angle to 150 degrees to 175 degrees as a suitable range, the position of the mask body (1) is appropriately attached so that it may be pulled up almost straight from the chin tip (A) and prevents the mask body (1) from sliding down from the occiput to the neck.
Further, the angle between the virtual line passing through the center of the wrap-around section (13) in the direction of width and the surface along the lower side of the mandible section (11) is 100 degrees to 130 degrees, and preferably about 118 degrees.
A tab (17) can be provided at the end (11a) of the mandible section (11) on the neck side to pull it toward the neck to wear the cosmetic mask. The tab (17) is integrally molded and made of silicon, and to be folded frontward to form a bow shape as shown in the drawing. The users can hold the inner peripheral side by pinching it between the index and thumb, and pull it downward and toward the neck, and firmly fit the jaw into the chin tip section (A).
The upper end of the wrap-around section (13) is split at the top of the occiput and is fastened by a hook-and-loop fastener (130). Therefore, the user holds both left and right sides of the wrap-around section (13) and turns the wrap-around section (13) to the occiput, and fastens the hook-and-loop fasteners (130) holding it with an appropriate tensile force and wear the present cosmetic mask.
Note that the fastening mean is not limited to a hook-and-loop fastener, and may be a hook, a single-operation buckle, or the like. Further, the entire mask body (1) may be configured to form an annular shape and allow it to be fitted using its elastic stretchability.
The stimulator fitting section (18) for fitting a stimulator (2) is formed in the cheek section (12). The stimulator fitting section (18) includes an opening (18a) in which the stimulator (2) is fit by partially exposing the upper side of the stimulator (2) and an electrode fitting section (18b) formed to fit only on the skin contact surface.
The configuration of the stimulator fitting section (18) is not limited to have an opening as in the present embodiment, but it may be configured to have an engagement section that engages with the skin contact surface of the mask body (1).
The current generator (20) is a circule with a diameter of about 50 mm (suitable range: 40 mm to 60 mm), and the electrode sections (21), (22), and (23) are rounded rectangles with a width of about 12 mm (suitable range: 10 mm to 15 mm), a length of about 35 mm, and a length of a section in contact with the skin of about 22 mm (suitable range: 15 mm to 35 mm), respectively. The shape of the current generator (20) is not limited to substantial triangle, and may be any shape such as circle, oval, rectangular, and hexagonal. Further, the shape of the electrode sections may be any shape such as circular, oval, rectangular, and rhombic.
The stimulator (2) is configured to electrically stimulate, and includes, inside the current generator (20), a controller (not illustrated) that controls a current and power supply terminals (202) and (203) that can charge a rechargeable battery (not illustrated) and supply power. Comfortable and low-cost use is attained without using power cables or external battery, while it can be powered by an external power supply or battery.
The electrode sections (21), (22), and (23) made of conductive silicon, are electrically connected to an internal electrode (210) in the current generator (20) as shown in
The zygomaticus muscles, including the major and minor zygomaticus muscles, which have the function of lifting slack cheeks and nasolabial folds, and in this embodiment, both areas are galvanized to obtain a training effect. Sagging corners of the mouth and loss of muscular strength due to aging, as well as nasolabial fold, double jaw, and sagging face outline, can be improved by training the zygomaticus muscles.
The masseter muscle is a muscle that controls the biting force, is prone to fatigue due to chewing and clenching of teeth. Further, if the masseter muscle is over-developed by bruxism, the user's face outline becomes unbalanced, like square-jawed. In the same way, if the electrical stimulation improperly trains masseter muscles, the face outline may be unbalanced as well, and brings an adverse cosmetic effect.
A low-frequency current and a medium-frequency current are applied to the locations between the electrode sections (21) and (22) corresponding to the zygomatic muscle and between the electrode sections (21) and (23) corresponding to the masseter muscle, respectively. Patent Literature 5 disclosed a prior art in which a configuration for EMS that applies a current of a frequency of 15 Hz suitable for training muscles and a frequency of 33 Hz suitable for relaxing muscles.
In the present embodiment, a function to apply a medium-frequency current of about 1 KHz to provide muscle-relaxing treatment. A major difference in this embodiment from the prior art is that the electrode sections (21), (22), and (23) having a large area are adopted. The area of the electrode thereof is 2.5 times larger than that of Patent Literature 5, and the electrode can provide more intense sensation even at a small output level. As a result, the configuration can bring adequate beauty effect while suppressing irritation on skin.
The areas of the electrode sections (21), (22), and (23) in contact with the skin surface are about 504 square mm each, and the area of a pair of the electrodes totals about 1008 square mm. It is enlarged 2.38 times in the present invention while the area was about 423 square mm in the conventional configuration. By extending the electrode sections, sufficient area of the electrode sections is secured, and a preferable range is 300 square mm to 700 square mm per electrode section.
When subjects wear the cosmetic mask of the configuration according to the present invention, it is confirmed that the degree of facial muscle movement they felt increased by 1.3 time approximately, from 4.9 to 6.4 points when evaluated on a 7-point scale. In the present invention, the electrode parts (21), (22), and (23) are extended from the current generator (20) to ensure a sufficient contact area, thereby sufficiently improving the cosmetic effect.
Further, by extending the electrode sections (21) (22) (23) in a non-symmetrical shape, the installation orientation is restricted and mis-attachment does not occur. Conventionally, the electrodes were formed in a triangular shape to make it difficult to mistake the orientation, but the present invention makes it even more obvious and easy to use.
The first electrode section (21) and the second electrode section (22) form an angle of 130 degrees (preferable range of 120 to 140 degrees), and the first electrode section (21) and the third electrode section (23) form an angle of 160 degrees (preferable range 150 to 180 degrees). These angles constitute electrode sections that provide adequate stimulation to both the masseter and zygomatic muscles.
As described above, the present invention includes the first electrode (21) that extends toward the temporomandibular joint, and the second electrode (22) that extends toward the opening of the mouth periphery, and the third electrode (23) extending toward the mandible when the mask is worn, but it may be configured to extend in any two directions. Further, the electrode sections (21), (22), and (23) may be configured to radially extend in multiple directions.
The electrode regions (181), (182), and (183) do not penetrate to the front surface, and the sides of the electrode sections (21), (22), and (23) are loosely fitted to the inner periphery. On the other hand, in the current generator region (180), a groove (184) is formed over the entire periphery of the inner periphery, and the outer periphery of the current generator (20) is fixed while being fitted into the groove (184).
The stimulator (2) can be removed from the stimulator fitting section (18) to recharge or rinse. When the electrode sections (21), (22), and (23) are totally removed, the mask body (1) made of mere silicon material makes it easy to wash and maintain. At the same time, the manufacturing cost of the mask body (1) is reduced, replacement is easy.
Finally, in the present invention, silicon materials having different hardness are used for each location of the mask body (1). As illustrated in
Further, the region of the wrap-around section (13) that is stretched toward the occiput is set to a hardness lower than the first hardness, for example, 30 degrees.
Being elastic, it can be wrapped around the occiput without deforming the part contacting with the face. Furthermore, the hook-and-loop fastener (130) section has a third hardness higher than the first and second hardness, eg, 60 degrees, considering joining with the hook-and-loop fastener and making it easy to pull.
Such a distribution of hardness makes it possible to provide a cosmetic mask that is easy and comfortable to wear.
The present invention may provide the stimulator (2) as a stand-alone unit, that is equipped with two or more electrode sections radially extending from a current generator, and the current generator which comprises a control unit for controlling the current and a power supply section that supplies electricity.
The configuration of electrode sections extending radially from the current generator allows for sufficient distance between electrodes, and the area of each electrode can also be increased. Further, since the direction of radiation can be freely designed, an optimal arrangement is achieved in conform with the location of the target muscle.
When the stimulator is configured as a stand-alone unit, the electrode sections are preferably formed in a curving shape curved from the base of the current generator, so that it fits better to the skin contact surface.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-147850 | Sep 2020 | JP | national |
This application is the national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/JP2021/030800, filed on Aug. 23, 2021, which is based upon and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-147850, filed on Sep. 2, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2021/030800 | 8/23/2021 | WO |
