Patent Application
20230293383
The present invention relates to the general technical field of massage or skin care devices, more particularly for household use and preferentially for mechanically massaging the skin, in particular the face.
Advantageously, the invention relates to a massage device comprising:
Massage, especially human facial massage, has long been reserved for people who can call on a professional in the field. Indeed, massage requires certain specific techniques, gestures and methods mastered by only a few professionals: masseurs.
To try to make massage accessible to as many people as possible, different massage devices have been proposed in order to provide consumers with a device that reproduces some of the gestures of professional masseurs. However, even with a device that reproduces certain massage techniques, the result of the massage is not guaranteed. Indeed, the result and effectiveness of the massage not only depend on the technical gestures, but also on the method by which the technical gestures are applied to the area to be massaged. However, this method is often unknown to consumers of this type of device, and it is very difficult for them to know how to use a massage device correctly.
In order to address this massage method problem, some of these devices include an automatic mode, that is, a mode that allows the user to not worry about the massage method and to simply follow the routine pre-recorded in the device.
One example is U.S. Pat. No. 9,730,758. It tells the user, using a graphic display, to which area of the face to apply the device as the automatic massage program progresses.
This solution, although generally satisfactory, does not allow the user any freedom. Thus, the user's habits and preferences are not taken into account: the user is forced to strictly adhere to the massage sequence imposed by the device.
There is thus a need to improve the existing devices.
The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.
One purpose of the invention is to provide a massage device that makes it possible to meet the user's personal preferences and habits, even when using an automatic massage program, while guaranteeing an optimal result, regardless of the user's preferences or habits.
Another purpose of the invention is to propose a massage device that is particularly simple, intuitive and ergonomic to use, for any user, in particular a consumer.
Another purpose of the invention is to propose a massage device that is particularly safe and secure for any user, in particular a consumer.
Another purpose of the invention is to propose a massage device that is particularly inexpensive to manufacture.
Another purpose of the invention is to propose a massage device that is particularly reliable and robust.
Another purpose of the invention is to propose a massage device that is particularly energy-efficient.
Another purpose of the invention is to propose a preferentially non-therapeutic massage method that can take into account a user's preferences or habits, even as part of an automatic massage program, while guaranteeing an optimal result, regardless of the user's preferences or habits.
Another purpose of the invention is to propose a preferentially non-therapeutic massage method that is particularly simple, intuitive and understandable, for any user, in particular a consumer.
These purposes are achieved using a massage device comprising:
With the invention and said setting, the user of the massage device can indicate a preference related to the massage. The massage device will then take this preference into account and automatically adjust the automatic operating mode of the device accordingly. In other words, the user sees his or her habits and preferences taken into account by the automatic mode of the massage device. The result is greater user satisfaction, user appreciation and improved acceptance of the massage device since it adjusts to the user's preferences. In addition, by automatically adjusting the automatic operating mode of the massage device to the setting indicated by the user, the massage device that is the subject-matter of the invention guarantees an optimal result, regardless of the setting indicated by the user, and therefore regardless of the user's habits or preferences. This also limits the risk of inadvertent misuse of the device by the user, as the user's habits and reflexes are taken into account.
“User” is preferentially defined as a human being, regardless of gender, who will benefit from the massage provided by the device. Advantageously, the device that is the subject-matter of the invention is designed to be used on oneself, that is, the user will hold the massage device in his or her hand and apply it directly to his or her own body, and in particular to his or her face. This use is generally a “consumer” use, meaning by a user who has no particular knowledge of massage. However, it could be conceived, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the invention is used by one person on another person. In this case, the term “user” could then refer to the person handling the device rather than the person receiving the massage.
“Massage device” means any device capable of providing mechanical action on a user's area to be massaged, particularly the skin. More preferentially, the massage device according to the invention is a facial massage device, advantageously of the human face. The massage device according to the invention can reproduce different massage gestures, usually performed by the fingers of professionals in the sector. Thus, illustratively and without limitation, the massage device may reproduce either of the following gestures:
Preferentially, the first selection interface comprises a switch with three different positions:
According to one embodiment, the activation of said at least one massage element results in a movement thereof, so as to transmit a mechanical effort to the area to be massaged, preferentially the skin of the face. More specifically, the actuator is designed to activate said at least one massage element according to a rotational movement around a first axis, said first mode and second mode each being associated with a different direction of rotation of said at least one massage element. In other words, the direction of rotation of the massage element(s) may vary, advantageously by varying the direction of rotation of the actuator. Preferentially, the actuator comprises an electric motor that is therefore designed to activate said at least one massage element according to a rotational movement around the first axis. Advantageously, the actuator is powered by a battery. For example, the first operating mode corresponds to a rotation in the anticlockwise direction of the motor (and therefore advantageously said at least one massage element), while the second operating mode corresponds to a rotation in the clockwise direction of the motor (and therefore advantageously said at least one massage element). This embodiment is particularly well-suited to reproducing the kneading or shearing gesture.
Preferentially, the massage device is a facial massage device and said setting is representative of the left or right side of the user's face that the user wishes to treat first, said setting thus being able to have a first value representative of a priority treatment on the left side of the user's face, or, a second value representative of a priority treatment on the right side of the user's face. Indeed, most users are used to always starting a facial (makeup, massage, etc.) on the same side: either the right or the left. It is thus possible, with the invention, to propose a device capable of taking into account and adhering to this user habit. For example, with the invention, the risk that the user will place the device on the wrong side of the face is limited since he or she will be able to proceed with their usual routine. This is all the more important and useful, as the direction of certain massage gestures (and in particular kneading or shearing) is associated with only one side of the face. This association should therefore be adhered to. In a massage parlor, the professional masseur adjusts the direction of the gesture to the side of the face that he or she is massaging, but with an automatic device, it is up to the user to perform this task. The invention makes it possible to help him or her in this task. Thus, whatever the user's habits, the result of the massage provided by the device is optimal.
Thus, advantageously, said first mode is associated with the anticlockwise direction of rotation if the setting has the first value, and, said second mode is associated with the clockwise direction if the setting has the second value. This ensures that the correct direction of rotation of said at least one massage element is applied to the correct side of the user's face. Indeed, in order for the result to be conclusive, and in particular in order to reduce facial sagging and slackening (due to aging cells and gravity), particularly in the case of the kneading or shearing gesture, it is preferable that the skin of the face is moved upwards and outwards (from the chin towards the cheeks and towards the temples). This allows the skin to be tightened in a direction opposite the direction of natural sagging. The invention makes it possible to guarantee this correct skin movement, in this case a right rotation (clockwise) for the right side of the face and a left rotation (anticlockwise) for the left side of the face, regardless of the setting selected by the user. Thus, the invention makes it possible to systematically guarantee that the skin is moved in the chin-nose-temple direction when the device is placed on the cheek.
According to one embodiment, which can be combined with the previous one, the device comprises a first timer designed to be triggered by the controller when the user selects the automatic operating mode of the device. In other words, the device will measure how long the device remains waiting for the setting to be selected. Preferentially, the controller is designed to turn the device off when the first timer exceeds a first threshold time without the user having to select that setting. In other words, the device is designed to turn off automatically after a predefined time, after the user has activated the automatic mode with the first selection interface, but before the user has selected the setting using the second selection interface. Thus, if the user takes too long to select said setting (that is, to manipulate the second selection interface), or if he or she forgets to do so, the device can automatically turn off after a certain period of time, thus avoiding any unnecessary consumption of power from the device, and, when the device is powered by a battery, preserving the battery life of the device.
According to one embodiment, which can be combined with one of the previous ones, the device comprises a first mode timer and a second mode timer designed to be respectively triggered by the controller when selecting the first mode or the second mode. This enables the device to precisely control the activation time of each of said first mode and second mode. Preferentially, the controller is designed to turn off the first mode when the first mode timer exceeds a first mode threshold time and to turn off the second mode when the second mode timer exceeds a second mode threshold time.
According to one embodiment, which can be combined with one of the previous ones, the device comprises an indicator, preferentially visual, representative of the setting to be selected or selected by the user. This gives the user a clear indication that he or she must select that setting or that he or she has selected that setting. Preferentially, said second selection interface comprises said indicator. This makes the operation of the device particularly ergonomic and intuitive since the visual indicator is directly contained in the setting selection interface, which must be operated by the user.
The invention also relates to a preferentially non-therapeutic massage method, comprising the following steps:
Preferentially, said step of selecting an automatic mode b) comprises a step of activating an indicator, preferably visual, representative of the setting to be selected. Advantageously, the activation of the visual indicator consists of turning on the visual indicator, either continuously, temporarily, alternating (flashing), etc.
Preferentially, said method further comprises, following the step of selecting an automatic mode b), the following time verification step: c) triggering a first timer and, when the value of said first timer exceeds a first threshold time without the user having selected said setting, turning off the device.
Preferentially, the automatic selection step e) comprises, for each of the first mode or second mode, triggering, respectively, a first mode timer or a second mode timer when selecting said mode, and maintaining said first mode or second mode as long as the first mode timer or the second mode timer does not exceed, respectively, a first mode threshold time or a second mode threshold time.
The embodiment of the invention illustrated by the various figures is an embodiment in which the massage device is a human facial massage device, particularly suited to reproducing a kneading or shearing gesture, in particular on the cheeks, cheekbones or neck. The area to be massaged is thus the face, for example the cheeks and cheekbones.
As can be seen in
The main body 1 thus forms a gripping area, such as a handle, for example. As can be seen, the main body 1 is a solid revolving around a first axis X1, preferentially frustoconical, these shapes being particularly ergonomic and well-suited to a user's grasp.
The massage head 2 comprises at least one massage element 21 intended to come into contact with the area to be massaged. Thus, said at least one massage element 21 protrudes from the massage head 2 so as to be able to come into contact with, and even sink into, the area to be massaged. As can be seen in
The massage device further comprises an actuator enabling activation of said at least one massage element 21, the actuator being preferentially housed in the main body 1. The actuator is thus designed to activate said at least one massage element 21 according to a rotational movement around the first axis X1. Advantageously, the actuator comprises an electric motor designed to activate said at least one massage element 21 according to a rotational movement around the first axis X1. Preferentially, the actuator is powered by a battery, itself housed in the main body 1. Thus, the massage device is a portable and self-contained device, making it easier to use. More specifically, the actuator also comprises a motor shaft connected to the motor.
Said at least one massage element 21 is designed to massage a particular area: its features of size, shape, material, etc. are adapted to the area to be massaged. In the event that the device comprises several removable massage heads 2, each of the massage heads 2 comprises different massage elements 21 intended for different massage areas. Illustratively and without limitation, said at least one massage element 21 comprises a ball, a half sphere, a roller, a finger, etc.
Preferentially, each massage element 21 comprises a convex portion intended to come into contact with the area to be massaged, in this case the face. This feature ensures an effective massage without being unpleasant or painful. For example, each massage element 21 comprises a ball, or a half-ball (or half-sphere), which allows each massage element 21 to sink into the skin of the area to be massaged in order to be able to transmit mechanical forces thereto.
Preferentially, each massage element 21 is mounted movable in rotation on itself, according to a second axis X2 parallel to the first axis X1. The second X2 axis is separate from the first X1 axis. In the preferential embodiment illustrated in
As can be seen in
As can be seen in
More specifically, the first selection interface 11 comprises a switch with three different positions. The switch is thus a “slider” switch, that is, movable in translation, according to the first axis X1, between three different stable positions:
As can be seen in
Setting G, D is thus related to the automatic operating mode of the device. More specifically, the setting G, D is an input for the automatic operation mode of the device, as can be seen in
In addition, setting G, D is representative of a massage setting. More specifically, said setting G, D is representative of the left or right side of the face to be massaged that the user wishes to treat first. This allows for consideration of the user's habits and routine, taking into account which side of the face the user is used to treating first.
Said setting G, D can thus have a first value G representative of a priority treatment on the left side of the face: in other words, the first value G of the setting tells the massage machine that the left side of the face should be massaged first, and therefore, that the right side of the face should be massaged next. Alternatively, the first setting G, D can also have a second D value representative of a priority treatment on the right side of the face: in other words, the second D value of the setting tells the massage machine that the right side of the face should be massaged first, and therefore, that the left side of the face should be massaged next. This latter configuration (the setting has the D value) is shown in
The device further comprises a controller automatically selecting a first mode RG or a second mode RD of operation of the automatic operation of the device. Indeed, as can be seen in
Said first mode RG and second mode RD are thus each associated with a particular operation of the actuator, and more particularly with a different direction of rotation of the massage element(s) 21. Specifically, the controller will automatically adjust the direction of rotation of the electric motor based on the value the user has given to setting G, D.
According to the embodiment shown in
The device also comprises a memory designed to store a number of data, defined by the designers of the device. Preferentially, the memory is a read-only memory so that the various data stored on the memory are not affected by a power outage. A wide variety of data can be stored in the device's memory, such as timings, rotational speeds, rotational directions, setting values, massage methods, etc.
In particular, the memory comprises a first threshold time t1, the value of which is, for example, comprised between 2 and 20 minutes, preferentially between 5 and 15 minutes, advantageously between 10 and 14 minutes. Particularly advantageously, the first threshold time t1 is substantially equal to 12 minutes. As will be explained, this first threshold time t1 is associated with the maximum allowable time for the user to select the setting.
The memory also comprises a first mode threshold time tg, the value of which is, for example, comprised between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, preferentially between 1 and 4 minutes. Advantageously, the first mode threshold time tg is substantially equal to 3 minutes. Thus, the value of the first mode threshold time tg is lower than the value of the first threshold time t1. As will be explained, the first mode threshold time tg is associated with the duration of the first mode RG in the case of automatic operation mode.
The memory also comprises a second mode threshold time td, whose value is for example comprised between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, preferentially between 1 and 4 minutes. Advantageously, the second mode threshold time td is substantially equal to 3 minutes. Thus, the value of the second mode threshold time td is equal to the value of the first mode threshold time tg. As will be explained, the second mode threshold time td is associated with the duration of the second mode RD in the automatic operating mode. The application of the first and second mode threshold times tg, td can be seen in particular in
The memory also comprises a manual mode threshold time tm, the value of which is for example comprised between 1 and 15 minutes, preferentially between 4 and 8 minutes. Advantageously, the manual mode threshold time tm is substantially equal to 6 minutes. Thus, the value of the manual mode threshold time tm is greater than the value of the first mode threshold time tg but less than the value of the first threshold time t1. As will be explained, the manual mode threshold time tm is associated with the maximum time allowed for the first mode RG or the second mode RD in the case of manual operating mode.
The memory may also comprise a pause time p whose value is for example comprised between 0.5 seconds and 30 seconds, preferentially between 0.5 and 5 seconds, advantageously between 0.5 and 2 seconds. Advantageously, the pause time p is substantially equal to 1 second. Thus, the value of the pause time is an order of magnitude smaller than the threshold times t1, tg, td. As will be explained, the pause time p is used to indicate to the user that it is time to switch the device to the other side of the face.
As can be seen in
The indicator 121, 122, thus comprises a first visual indicator 121, preferentially in the form of a left-facing arrow, as well as a second visual indicator 122, preferentially in the form of a right-facing arrow, as can be seen in
The controller is then designed to turn on only the first indicator 121 when the setting has its first value G, and turn on only the second indicator 122 when the setting has its second value D, as can be seen in
The controller can also be designed to simultaneously activate, or even simultaneously flash, the first and second indicators 121, 122, as soon as the first control interface 11 leaves its first position. This makes it possible to indicate clearly and quickly to the user that he or she must select a value of the setting G, D.
As can be seen in
As illustrated in
As can be seen in
The controller design foreseen for the automatic operation of the device is shown in
The device comprises a first mode timer TG designed to be triggered by the controller upon selection of the first operating mode RG. The controller is preferentially designed to turn off the first mode RG when the first mode TG timer exceeds the first mode threshold time tg. More specifically, as can be seen in the left branch of the flow charts in
The device comprises a second mode timer TD designed to be triggered by the controller upon selection of the second operating mode RD. The controller is preferentially designed to turn off the second mode RD when the second mode TD timer exceeds the second mode threshold time td. More specifically, as can be seen in the right branch of the flow charts in
The controller is also designed to be able to automatically trigger the second operating mode RD following the first mode RG, or vice versa, automatically trigger the first operating mode RG following the second operating mode RD, depending on the setting G, D selected by the user, as can be seen in
A first variant is shown in
If the result of the verification described in paragraph [0070] is positive (TG>tg), then the controller is designed to pause the actuator during the pause time p. The actuator, and thus said at least one massage element 21 therefore ceases all movement. Such a pause indicates to the user the end of the first operating mode RG and that the device should be moved to the right side of the face. The controller is further designed to also activate the second visual indicator 122 during the pause step which confirms to the user the need to move the device to the right side of the face. At the end of this pause time p, the controller is designed to trigger the second operating mode RD and maintain this second operating mode RD as long as the second operating mode threshold time td is not exceeded by the second operating mode timer TD, as described in paragraph [0071]. As soon as the second mode threshold time td is exceeded by the second mode timer TD, the controller is designed to turn off the massage device.
If the result of the check described in paragraph [0071] is positive (TD>td), then the controller is designed to pause the actuator during the pause time p. The actuator, and thus said at least one massage element therefore ceases all movement. Such a pause indicates to the user the end of the second operating mode RD and that the device should be moved to the left side of the face. The controller is further designed to also activate the first visual indicator 121 during the pause step which confirms to the user the need to move the device to the left side of the face. At the end of this pause time p, the controller is designed to trigger the first operating mode RG and maintain this first operating mode RG as long as the first operating mode threshold time tg is not exceeded by the first operating mode timer TG, as described in paragraph [0070]. As soon as the first mode threshold time tg is exceeded by the first mode timer TG, the controller is designed to turn off the massage device.
A second variant is shown in
This second design alternative of the controller differs from the first one in the action to be taken at the end of the first operating mode RG described in paragraph
(conversely, of the second operating mode RD described in paragraph [0071]), that is, when the first mode threshold time tg is exceeded by the first mode timer TG (or conversely, the second mode threshold time td is exceeded by the second mode timer TD). The controller is then designed to check if the second mode threshold time td is exceeded by the second mode timer TD (or conversely, if the first mode threshold time tg is exceeded by the first mode timer TG). If so, then this means that both operating modes RG, RD have already been implemented and the controller is then designed to turn off the device. If not, then this means that only one of the operating modes RG, RD has been implemented and the controller is then designed to activate the other operating mode RG, RD as described in paragraphs [0071] or [0070], after having activated the pause time p and activated the appropriate visual indicator 121, 122.
The controller design foreseen for the manual operation of the device is shown in
In the manual operating mode of the device, the controller is designed to give the user the greatest possible freedom. Thus, if the user chooses the first value G (conversely, the second value D), the controller is designed to activate the first operating mode RG (conversely, the second operating mode RD) and simultaneously trigger a manual mode timer TM. The controller is designed to keep this first operating mode RG (conversely, second operating mode RD) active as long as the manual mode threshold time tm is not exceeded by the manual mode timer TM, or as long as the user has not changed the value of the setting G, D using the second selection interface 12. As soon as the manual mode threshold time tm is exceeded by the manual mode timer TM, it means that the user has “forgotten” and the controller is then designed to turn off the device.
A massage method recorded in the device memory and used by the controller will now be described in detail, with reference to
The massage method comprises a first step a) of providing the user with a massage device, preferentially for the face, and advantageously of a device as described above.
The massage method then comprises a second step b) of user selection of an automatic mode of the device providing a massage cycle, preferentially for the face, in particular using the first selection interface 11 described above. Preferentially, as explained above, this also makes it possible to turn on the device.
Preferentially, this second selection step b) further comprises the activation of the indicator 121, 122; in this case, the simultaneous activation of the first and second visual indicators 121, 122, for example in the form of flashing. This will let the user know that he or she has an action to take.
The massage method thus comprises a third step c) of time verification comprising the following steps:
The massage method thus comprises a fourth step d) of user selection of the setting G, D related to the automatic operating mode of the device, in particular using the second control interface 12. The indicator 121, 122 is thus representative of the setting G, D to be selected.
The massage method thus comprises a fifth step e) of automatically selecting the first RG or the second RD operating mode of the automatic operation of the device, depending on said setting G, D selected by the user. The said first mode RG and second mode RD then being each associated with a particular operation of the actuator allowing the activation, advantageously according to a rotational movement around a first axis (X1), of at least one massage element 21 intended to come into contact with the area to be massaged, preferentially the skin of the face. Said first RG and second RD operating mode are then advantageously each associated with a different direction of rotation of said at least one massage element 21. As explained, this step allows the user's preferences to be taken into account while ensuring optimal massage results.
Preferentially, the automatic selection step (e) comprises, for each of the first mode RG or second mode RD, triggering, respectively, a first mode timer TG or a second mode timer TD upon selection of said mode, and maintaining said first mode RG or second mode RD as long as the first mode timer TG or the second mode timer TD does not exceed, respectively, a first mode threshold time tg or a second mode threshold time td.
More specifically, if the setting G is selected by the user using the second control interface 12, then step e) comprises the following successive steps:
Conversely, if the setting D is selected by the user using the second control interface 12 (as is the case in
In a manual variation of the massage method, illustrated in
Preferentially, this second selection step b) bis further comprises the activation of the indicator 121, 122; in this case, the simultaneous activation of the first and second visual indicators 121, 122, for example in the form of flashing. This will let the user know that he or she has an action to take.
The manual variation of the massage method thus comprises the verification step c) as described in paragraph [0084].
The manual variation of the massage method thus comprises a step of user selection of setting G, D related to the manual operating mode of the device, in particular using the second control interface 12. The indicator 121, 122 is thus representative of the setting G, D to be selected.
If the setting has the first value G, then the manual variant of the massage method comprises the following successive steps:
If the setting has the second D value, then the manual variant of the massage method comprises the following successive steps:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR2008498 | Aug 2020 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/072315 | 8/10/2021 | WO |
