Patent Application
20170050077
The present invention relates to a facial muscle training tool used for training facial muscles of a human face such as the orbicularis oris muscle.
A facial muscle training tool of this type conventionally has such a structure as one disclosed in Patent Document 1 for example. In this conventional structure, an orally held portion to be held with lips is provided on both the front and back surfaces of a central portion of a strip-shape elastic plate. A weight is fixed to each of opposite end portions of the elastic plate. With the orally held portion held with lips, the facial muscle training tool is shaken entirely up and down. By doing so, the repulsive force of the elastic plate resulting from the weight of each weight portion is transmitted to the orally held portion to train facial muscles.
Patent Document
Patent Document 1 discloses the entire shape of the facial muscle training tool. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe properties that the facial muscle training tool must have for training facial muscles properly. Hence, in some cases, a beneficial training function cannot be achieved by this conventional facial muscle training tool.
The present invention is intended to provide a facial muscle training tool capable of achieving a beneficial training effect.
The facial muscle training tool according to the present invention includes an elastically deformable portion and an orally held portion to be held with lips. The orally held portion is provided at a middle position of the elastically deformable portion in a longitudinal direction of the elastically deformable portion. The elastically deformable portion vibrates in resonance with vibration of the orally held portion in a vertical direction at a frequency of less than 6.50 hertz.
In such a structure, a load resulting from the resonance vibration of the elastically deformable portion is transmitted properly to the lips to train facial muscles.
The present is capable of achieving a beneficial training effect.
Embodiments will be descried below by referring to the drawings.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The elastic plate 22 and the covering 23 on both the right side and the left side of the core 27 form a pair of right and left arms 31. A weight portion 25 is provided at a tip portion of the covering 23 of each of the arms 31.
As shown in
As shown in
A pair of flanges 285 to be positioned on both the front and back sides of each arm 31 is formed at the base end of the mouthpiece 28. The flanges 285 protrude further than the other portion of the mouthpiece 28. As shown in
Various types of mouthpieces 28 different in outer dimensions and the like are prepared. The user is allowed to select an appropriate mouthpiece 28 according to the size or the shape of the mouth of the user, for example, and to fit the selected mouthpiece 28 to the core 27 from outside. The mouthpiece 28 is softer than the core 27 and has hardness of 60 degrees measured using a type A durometer conforming to the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) K6253, for example. The body of the facial muscle training tool 21 except the weight 30, specifically, the body including the elastic plate 22, the covering 23, the core 27, and the mouthpiece 28 has a weight from about 50 to about 500 grams (g). The weight 30 has a weight from about 3 to about 120 g.
As shown in
The facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment is accompanied by a cover 51 that constitutes a facial muscle training tool set together with the facial muscle training tool 21.
As shown in
Concave portions 58 are formed in the respective side walls of the cover pieces 53 and 54. When the cover pieces 53 and 54 are closed, the concave portions 58 form openings 59 for letting the arms 31 pass through while preventing interference with the arms 31. A gap 60 is formed between a marginal portion of each opening 59 and the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding arm 31. To prevent formation of a sharp edge at the opening 59, the marginal portion of the opening 59 may be formed into an arc in cross section. To increase the area of contact with the arm 31, the opening 59 may be increased in thickness at the marginal portion or may be increased in thickness and formed into an arc in cross section at the marginal portion. In this way, the occurrence of a scratch or a scar in the arm 31 can be prevented.
A method of using the facial muscle training tool 21 of the aforementioned structure will be described next.
As shown in
To train facial muscles using the facial muscle training tool 21, the cover 51 is detached. A mouthpiece 28 having necessary outer dimensions conforming for example to a training level requested by the user of the facial muscle training tool 21 is attached in advance to the core 27. Further, the weight 30 of a required weight is attached to the holding hole 29 in each weight portion 25. In this state, the user puts the depression 282 of the orally held portion 24 between lips and swings his or her face up and down. By doing so, while the weight of the facial muscle training tool 21 acts on the lips, the weight portions 25 are vibrated up and down in resonance through the elastic plate 22 made of the plate spring. This vibration is transmitted to the orally held portion 24. As a result, a load is applied to facial muscles through the lips to train the facial muscles.
In this case, the orally held portion 24 protrudes from a side of the arms 31 to be located in a position displaced outwardly from this side. Thus, the facial muscle training tool 21 is held with the lips in a cantilever style to increase the weight to be bored on the lips. Thus, the load resulting from the resonance vibration acts efficiently as the load on the facial muscles to train the facial muscles effectively. At this time, as a result of the horizontally-long ellipsoidal shape in cross section of the depression 282, the mouthpiece 28 can be held while the mouth is opened widely. Holding the mouthpiece 28 with the mouth opened widely allows the load resulting from the resonance vibration to be transmitted to the entire orbicularis oris muscle. The orbicularis oris muscle is connected to muscles of facial expression such as the risorius muscle. This allows training of the risorius muscle and the like through the orbicularis oris muscle to allow efficient training.
In the facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment, the elastic plate 22 is molded using the covering 23 made of synthetic plastic. Thus, when the arms 31 warp to vibrate in resonance, except the vertical vibration of the arms 31 intended to be obtained for training, motions such as distortion or subtle vibration of the elastic plate 22 can be suppressed. In this way, distracting motions are less likely to be transmitted to the lips of the user, so that the facial muscle training tool 21 can be used comfortably. Instead of molding the elastic plate 22 entirely, a plate or a sheet of synthetic plastic may be fixed for example with an adhesive to both or one of the front and back surfaces of the elastic plate 22.
The mouthpiece 28 has rubber properties of not being slippery and having proper hardness. Thus, the mouthpiece 28 is easy to hold orally and can be used for transmitting a load resulting from the vibration of the arms 31 to the lips. If the mouthpiece 28 is too hard, the mouthpiece 28 does not conform to the lips and is hard to hold orally. Conversely, if the mouthpiece 28 is too soft, even with the mouthpiece 28 held orally, the facial muscle training tool 21 cannot easily be maintained stably. Additionally, the mouthpiece 28 absorbs vibration of the arms 31 to reduce a load for training.
If the facial muscle training tool 21 is used by different users, the mouthpiece 28 on the core 27 is changed to a different mouthpiece 28 of a different outer shape and the like. By doing so, one facial muscle training tool 21 can be shared between users having different mouth sizes or different mouth shapes.
The weight 30 in the holding hole 29 of the weight portion 25 can be changed to a different weight 30 of a different weight according to the strength of facial muscles or a training level.
After the training, the mouthpiece 28 is detached from the core 27, if necessary, and can be cleaned. The cleaned mouthpiece 28 is attached to the core 27 again. This can maintain the cleanliness of the mouthpiece 28 and works advantageously in terms of a hygienic aspect. Then, the cover 51 is attached to the training tool 21 so as to cover the mouthpiece 28.
As described above, by covering the mouthpiece 28 with the cover 51, the cleanliness of the mouthpiece 28 can be maintained during carrying or storage of the training tool 21. By housing the mouthpiece 28 alone in the cover 51 after the mouthpiece 28 is detached from the core 27, the cleanliness of the mouthpiece 28 can be maintained during carrying or storage of the mouthpiece 28.
A method of manufacturing the facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment will be described below.
First, the core 27 is formed by injection molding at the central portion of the elastic plate 22 shown in
Next, the bushings 26 are fitted in the two through holes 222 formed in positions near the opposite ends of the elastic plate 22. As a result, the bushings 26 protrude from both the front and back surfaces of the elastic plate 22.
Next, as shown in
Thus, risk of a scratch on the molding surface of the cavity 102 can be prevented. In a state in which filling of the cavity 102 with the synthetic plastic is finished, the injection pressure acts uniformly on the entire elastic plate 22. This makes the elastic plate 22 recover from the curved shape to restore its original shape. The elastic plate 22 in this shape extends linearly in a central portion of the cavity 102. As a result, after the molding, the elastic plate 22 is molded in a fixed position in the molded covering 23.
In the facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment, if the orally held portion 24 is held with the lips and shaken up and down, the arms 31 vibrate in resonance while warping. In the present embodiment, the length of each arm 31, the weight of the weight portion 25, the modulus of elasticity, spring constant and the like of the arms 31 including the elastic plate 22 are set such that the arms 31 vibrate in resonance if the orally held portion 24 vibrates at a frequency of less than 6.50 hertz (Hz). This allows the user to hold the orally held portion 24 with the lips to vibrate the arms 31 in resonance and to do training effectively using a resultant load. By contrast, in the case of a vibration frequency exceeding 6.50 Hz, specifically, if the orally held portion 24 is moved reciprocally little by little, the arms 31 are not vibrated in resonance. This produces the same state as where a rigid substance not to warp is vibrated, so that the load resulting from resonance vibration of the arms 31 is not transmitted to the lips. In this case, beneficial training effect cannot be achieved.
In the facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment, the rate of downward warpage of each arm 31 in a resting state, specifically, the amount of downward warpage a at the tip of each arm 31, is set to exceed 4.8 percent (%) relative to the length b of each arm 31 shown in
Additionally, in the facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment, the load to be applied to the orally held portion 24 in response to resonance vibration acting on the arms 31 is set to less than 7.4 newtons (N). By doing so, when the user shakes the orally held portion 24 up and down to vibrate the arms 31 in resonance, a proper load acts on the user so as to be able to obtain beneficial training effect. By contrast, if a load is 7.4 N or more, the user under such excessively high load finds difficulty in shaking the orally held portion 24.
The following describes results of examinations on the action of the facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment based on Tables 1 to 6. For these examinations, various types of elastic plates 22 shown in
Referring to Table 1, elastic plates 22 having three thicknesses were prepared including 0.6 millimeters (mm), 0.8 mm, and 1.0 mm. Further, elastic plates 22 having seven lengths were prepared including 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, and 1000 mm Thus, 21 types of elastic plates 22 were prepared in total. Further, weights having five weights were prepared including 6.0 grams (g), 11.5 g, 23.5 g, 48.0 g, and 92.0 g. These weights were attached to the opposite ends of the aforementioned 21 types of elastic plates 22 to prepare 105 types of samples 120 (see
Then, each of the aforementioned various types of samples 120 was removed from the vibration tester 103 and a mouthpiece 41 was attached to the protruding portion 223 of the elastic plate 22. The mouthpiece 41 had a size and hardness comparable to those of the orally held portion 24 and corresponded to the orally held portion 24. These samples 120 were tested by 10 test subjects using their feelings. As shown in Table 2, results thereof were graded into four ranks. These four ranks are based on results of the following determinations made by six or more test subjects: being unable to generate resonance vibration (rank 4); generating resonance vibration is not easy (rank 3); generating resonance vibration is easy (rank 2); and generating resonance vibration is particularly easy (rank 1). “Being unable to generate resonance vibration” means that generating resonance vibration of the arms 31 is determined to be impossible. “Generating resonance vibration is not easy” means that generating resonance vibration is determined to be possible while requiring proficiency. “UNMEASURABLE” shown in Table 1 means that a frequency generating resonance vibration could not be found for reason of being out of a measurable range of a measuring unit. Thus, it was found that, in some cases, even at a vibration frequency of 1.17 Hz or less per second, the arms of the elastic plate 22 vibrated in resonance.
As clearly understood from Tables 1 and 2, in the case of a sample 120 where the mouthpiece 41 vibrates at a frequency of less than 6.50 hertz (Hz), the user can vibrate the arms of the elastic plate 22 in resonance although generating this resonance vibration is not easy. Thus, this sample 120 is usable for training facial muscles.
In the case of a sample 120 in which the mouthpiece 41 vibrates at a frequency of less than 5.00 Hz, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance easily. Thus, this sample 120 is preferable. In the case of a sample 120 in which the mouthpiece 41 vibrates at a frequency of less than 3.50 Hz, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance more easily. Thus, this sample 120 is particularly preferable.
In the case of a sample 120 in which the mouthpiece 41 vibrates at a frequency exceeding 4.67 Hz under the aforementioned conditions, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance although generating this resonance vibration is not easy. Thus, this sample 120 is usable for training facial muscles.
In the case of a sample 120 in which the mouthpiece 41 vibrates at a frequency exceeding 3.33 Hz, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance easily. Thus, this sample 120 is usable for training facial muscles. In the case of a sample 120 in which the mouthpiece 41 vibrates at a frequency of 1.17 Hz or more, the user can vibrate the arms particularly easily. Thus, this sample 120 is particularly preferable. Even at a frequency of less than 1.17 Hz, the arms can still vibrate in resonance. However, such a frequency is not preferable since the arms do not vibrate at a high frequency per second, and beneficial effect of exercise cannot be achieved.
In the case of a sample 120 in which the mouthpiece 41 vibrates at a frequency of 6.33 Hz or less, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance although generating this resonance vibration is not easy. Thus, this sample 120 is usable for training facial muscles.
It is preferable that a sample 120 have arms that vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency of 3.50 Hz or more and 4.67 Hz or less. It is particularly preferable that a sample 120 have arms that vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency of 1.17 Hz or more and 3.33 Hz or less.
It is also preferable that a sample 120 have arms that vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency of 1.17 Hz or more and 3.40 Hz or less. A sample 120 may have arms that vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency of 1.17 Hz or more and 4.80 Hz or less. If a sample 120 has arms that vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency of 1.17 Hz or more and 6.40 Hz or less, this sample 120 is usable for training.
From a different viewpoint, if a sample 120 has arms that vibrate in resonance with vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency in a range from 1.17 to 6.33 Hz, this sample 120 is usable for training. The arms vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency in a range from 5.0 to 6.33 Hz.
It is also preferable that a sample 120 have arms that vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency in a range from 3.50 to 6.33 Hz. It is further preferable that a sample 120 have arms that vibrate in resonance with the vibration of the mouthpiece 41 at a frequency in a range from 1.17 to 4.67 Hz.
Referring to Table 3, elastic plates 22 having three thicknesses, namely 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1.0 mm, were prepared. Further, the elastic plates 22 were prepared that had six total lengths, namely 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, and 1000 mm Thus, 18 types of elastic plates 22 were prepared in total. Further, weights having five weights, namely 6.0 g, 11.5 g, 23.5 g, 48.0 g, and 92.0 g, were prepared. Thus, 90 types of samples 120 resulting from combinations of the elastic plates 22 and the weights were prepared. Then, as shown in
In the case of a sample 120 of which the warpage rate of the arms in a resting state exceeds 4.8%, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance. In the case of a sample 120 of which the warpage rate exceeds 8.1%, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance easily. Thus, this sample 120 is preferable. In the case of a sample 120 of which the warpage rate exceeds 15.0%, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance particularly easily. Thus, this sample 120 is even more preferable. In the case of a sample 120 of which the warpage rate is less than 8.3%, resonance vibration is hard to generate but can still be generated. In the case of a sample 120 of which the warpage rate is less than 15.2%, resonance vibration can be generated more easily. Thus, this sample 120 is preferable. In the case of a sample 120 of which the warpage rate is less than 60.8%, resonance vibration can be generated particularly easily. Thus, this sample 120 is even more preferable.
From a different viewpoint, the aforementioned results show that resonance vibration can be generated if the warpage rate is from 5.0 to 60.8%. More specifically, resonance vibration can be generated if the warpage rate is from 5.0 to 8.1%. Resonance vibration can be generated easily if the warpage rate is from 8.3 to 60.8%. Resonance vibration can be generated easily if the warpage rate is from 8.3 to 15.0% and 60.8%. Resonance vibration can be generated particularly easily if the warpage rate is from 15.2 to 48.8%. As described above, resonance vibration can be generated easily if the warpage rate is 60.8%. However, if the warpage rate largely exceeds this numerical value of 60.8%, the motion of the mouthpiece 41 is difficult to transmit to the elastic plate 22. In this case, generating resonance vibration is assumed to be difficult.
Referring to Table 5, like in the aforementioned tests, elastic plates 22 having three thicknesses, namely 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1.0 mm, were prepared. Further, the elastic plates 22 were prepared that had six total lengths, namely 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, and 1000 mm Thus, 18 types of elastic plates 22 were prepared in total. Further, weights having five weights, namely 6.0 g, 11.5 g, 23.5 g, 48.0 g, and 92.0 g, were prepared. Thus, 90 types of samples 120 resulting from combinations of the elastic plates 22 and the weights were prepared. Then, as shown in
As a result, in the case of a sample 120 of which the load is less than 7.4 N, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance. In the case of a sample 120 of which the load is less than 3.9 N, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance particularly easily. In the case of a sample 120 of which the load is less than 1.5 N, it is also assumed that the arms can be vibrated in resonance easily.
From a different viewpoint, in the case of a sample 120 of which the load acting on the mouthpiece 41 is in a range from 3.9 to 7.1 N, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance. In the case of a sample 120 of which this load is in a range from 1.5 to 3.8 N, the user can vibrate the arms in resonance particularly easily. In the case of a sample 120 of which this load is in a range from 1.5 to 3.85 N, the user can also vibrate the arms in resonance. When this load is less than 1.5 N, the user can still vibrate the arms in resonance. However, such a low load does not produce beneficial effect of exercise.
Therefore, by setting various conditions at will including the length of the arms 31, the weight of the weight 30 and the like of the facial muscle training tool 21, the facial muscle training tool 21 exhibiting the various behaviors shown in Tables 1 to 6 is embodied. The resultant facial muscle training tool 21 can achieve working effect comparable to that of the aforementioned results of examinations.
Table 7 shows the spring constants (g/mm) of the elastic plates 22 of 21 types in total used in the aforementioned various tests. These elastic plates 22 have three thicknesses, namely 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1.0 mm. Further, these elastic plates 22 have seven total lengths, namely 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, and 1000 mm. As clearly understood from Table 7, the lowest spring constant is 0.23 g/mm and the highest spring constant is 39.35 g/mm. The spring constant is not limited to the given constants but can be set at will. A facial muscle training tool can be embodied using the elastic plate 22 of any spring constant in Table 7 or an optional spring constant. The optional spring constant has a numerical value that interpolates between the numerical values of the spring constants shown in Table 7. Alternatively, the optional spring constant has a value exceeding that of the highest spring constant shown in Table 7, or a value less than that of the lowest spring constant shown in Table 7.
The facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment was used by 67 men and women in their twenties to seventies continuously for eight weeks, twice a day and for 30 seconds per use. Then, the effect achieved by the use was examined.
As described above, using the facial muscle training tool 21 reduces dimensions of every part of a face, so that it is assumed to achieve rejuvenating effects.
The following describes a second embodiment of the present invention while focusing on differences from the first embodiment.
As shown in
In the present embodiment, the parts count is reduced to achieve a simplified structure.
The following describes a third embodiment of the present invention with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
An ornamental clip 334 made of synthetic plastic is fitted in the notch 333. The ornamental clip 334 is tinted in a color different from the color of the covering 23. Further, the outer surface of the ornamental clip 334 is continuous with the outer surface of the covering 23. As shown in
The facial muscle training tool 21 of the aforementioned structure is used in the same way as the facial muscle training tool 21 of the first embodiment.
The third embodiment achieves the following advantages.
(1) Unlike in the first embodiment, a weight separate from a body is not provided. This reduces the parts count to allow reduction in manufacturing cost.
(2) The weight pieces 330 are embedded in the respective ends of the arms 21. Thus, the respective end portions of the arms 21 can be vibrated largely using the weights of the weight pieces 330, so that training can be done effectively.
(3) A gap is provided between each of the respective ends of the arms 21 and the weight piece 330. This makes the synthetic plastic existing in the area of this gap warp easily. The respective end portions of the arms 21 can vibrate easily using this warpage and such characteristics can be used for effective training. As a result of the gap between each of the respective ends of the arms 21 and the weight piece 330, even if motion of the weight piece 330 generates small vibration not contributing much to the training in the weight piece 330 or in the covering 23 around the weight piece 330, this vibration is absorbed partially or mostly by the covering 23 in the area of the gap. This realizes supple warping motion of the arms 21 to achieve easy use.
(4) The elastic plate 22 is formed such that its dimensions in thickness and width are gradually reduced from the central portion toward the tip of the elastic plate 22 in its longitudinal direction. This makes the opposite end portions of the elastic plate 22 warp easily. Thus, the respective end portions of the arms 21 can be vibrated largely, so that the elasticity of the elastic plate 22 at the opposite end portions thereof can be used effectively for training.
(5) Regarding molding of the covering 23, the weight piece 330 is clipped in midair with a core clip in a molding die (not shown). As the molding finishes, the covering 23 is demolded to form the notch 333 at each of the opposite ends of the covering 22 where the weight piece 330 is exposed. By using the notch 333, the ornamental clip 334 functioning as a design accent can be installed easily.
Modifications
The above described embodiment may be modified as follows.
The covering 23 to cover the elastic plate 22 may be omitted to expose the elastic plate 22. Further, the weight 30 forming the weight portion 25 may be fixed directly to the elastic plate 22. In this case, the weight 30 may be fixed with a screw or by fitting a protrusion provided to the weight 30 in a hole of the elastic plate 22. To give an intended weight to the end portion of the elastic plate 22, the weight 30 may be wound or bent, or may be formed into a large area.
The elastic plate 22 may be made of a material different from a steel plate such as carbon fiber or fiber-glass reinforced plastic (FRP).
In addition to this change in the material for the elastic plate 22 from a steel plate to a different material such as carbon fiber or fiber-glass reinforced plastic (FRP), the covering 23 may be omitted.
The covering 23 may be omitted from the elastic plate 22.
As indicated by long dashed double-short dashed lines in
The covering 23 of the elastic plate 22 may be a synthetic plastic plate affixed to one or each of the front and back surfaces of the elastic plate 22, a sheet of synthetic plastic injected on one or each of these front and back surfaces, or tape wound around the elastic plate 22.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-094318 | Apr 2014 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2014/081512 | 11/28/2014 | WO | 00 |
