CA2946261A1

CA2946261A1 - Implement for training facial muscle

Info

Publication number: CA2946261A1
Application number: CA2946261A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Tsuyoshi Matsushita
Original assignee: MTG Co Ltd
Current assignee: MTG Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-30
Filing date: 2014-06-17
Publication date: 2015-11-05
Also published as: TWI532518B; TW201542268A; JP2015221191A; CN203874385U; AU2014392921A1; CN105013144A; CN105013145A; CN203989709U; RU2652977C1; WO2015166592A1

Abstract

An implement (21) for training facial muscle, comprising an elastic plate (22) and a mouth-held section (24) provided at an intermediate position in the length direction of this elastic plate (22) and held by the lips. An elastic deformation section comprises the elastic plate (22) and a covering material (23) that covers the entire circumferential surface of this elastic plate (22). As a result of the entire elastic plate (22) being covered, the implement has an excellent external appearance and the mouth-held section (24) is easy to hold in the mouth because a lot of excess vibration is absorbed or dampened during use, due to the presence of the covering material (23).

Description

DESCRIPTION
IMPLEMENT FOR TRAINING FACIAL MUSCLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a facial muscle training tool configured to apply a load to facial muscles when being swung with an orally held portion held with the lips.
BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a facial muscle training tool that includes arms, which are made of an elastic plate, and an orally held portion for being held by lips. The orally held portion is located at the center of the set of arms. A
weight is arranged at the end of each arm. To use this facial muscle training tool, the user swings his/her head up and down while holding the orally held portion with lips, thereby swinging the facial muscle training tool up and down.
Accordingly, the elasticity of the elastic member and the load of the weights apply a load on the facial muscles, so that the facial muscles are trained.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents

[0003]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Registered Design No. 1223289 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems that the Invention is to Solve

[0004] The facial muscle training tool of Patent Document 1 has a synthetic plastic orally held portion in the center with respect to the longitudinal direction and a plastic weight at either end. The weights are separated from the orally held portion, and parts of the metal elastic plate in between are exposed. This not only spoils the appearance, but also brings about the following drawbacks. That is, during use, the elastic plate is likely to be twisted, in addition to the swinging action. The restoring force due to the twisting action is directly transmitted to the lips, which degrades the comfort of use. Further, when the edges of the exposed parts of the elastic plate contact a corner of a table, the table corner may be scratched.

[0005] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a facial muscle training tool that has an excellent appearance and is easy to use.
Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides a facial muscle training tool including 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 invention is characterized in that the elastically deformable portion includes a core member having elasticity and a covering member, which covers a whole outer surface of the core member.

[0007] With the above configuration, the elastic plate is entirely covered. The covering member not only improves the appearance, but also absorbs or attenuates twisting action of the elastic plate during use, so that the orally held portion is easy to hold. Also, since the edges of the elastic plate are not exposed, the tool does not scratch a corner of a table even when hitting the table corner.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention achieves an excellent appearance and ease of use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

= P3P2014179CA

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of a facial muscle training tool.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the facial muscle training tool.
Fig. 3 is a front view of the facial muscle training tool.
Fig. 4 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a relationship between the core and the mouthpiece.
Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a facial muscle training tool of a modification.
Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a facial muscle training tool of another modification.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Embodiments will be descried below by referring to the drawings.
As shown in Fig. 1, a facial muscle training tool 21 according to the present embodiment is used for training the facial muscles of the user such as an orbicularis oris muscle, and a buccinator muscle, a risorius muscle, a greater zygomatic muscle, and a lesser zygomatic muscle connected to the orbicularis oris muscle by being held with the lips of the user and being swung up and down by the user.

[0011] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the facial muscle training tool 21 includes an elastic plate 22 having a linear strip plate shape formed of a plate spring made of a steel plate. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a core 27 made of hard plastic such as polypropylene is fixed to a central portion of the elastic plate 22 in its longitudinal direction by means of molding using the elastic plate 22 as an insert. The core 27 has a protruding portion 272 protruding from one edge of the elastic plate 22. A hollow mouthpiece 28 is attached detachably to the protruding portion 272 of the core 27.
While being attached to the protruding portion 272, the mouthpiece 28 forms an orally held portion 24 to be held with lips.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the elastic plate 22 in its entirety and a portion of the core 27 except the protruding portion 272 are molded using a covering member 23 made of synthetic plastic such as polyurethane. The elastic plate 22 and the covering member 23 constitute an elastically deformable portion. The covering member 23 is preferably made of a material that has rubber-like properties and is softer than the core 27. A pair of through holes 222 is formed at each of opposite end portions of the elastic plate 22 (four through holes 222 in total). The inner through hole 222 functions to connect the elastic plate 22 and the covering member 23 more tightly by allowing entry of the synthetic plastic during molding of the covering member 23. A bushing 26 is force-fitted in the outer through hole 222 to protrude from both the front and back surfaces of the elastic plate 22.
The bushing 26 is formed into a height that prevents exposure of the bushing 26 to the surface of the covering member 23. A
small hole 224 is formed in each of the opposite ends of the elastic plate 22. The small hole 224 also functions to connect the elastic plate 22 and the covering member 23 more tightly by allowing entry of the synthetic plastic.

[0013] The elastic plate 22 and the covering member 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 member 23 of each of the arms 31.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the orally held portion 24 is held with the lips and the facial muscle training tool 21 is entirely swung up and down. Then, both of the arms 31 are vibrated up and down in resonance with the swinging motion based on the load of the weight portion 25, the elasticity of the elastic plate 22 and the like. The resonance vibration refers to vibrating motion of the arms 31 produced when vibration of a frequency within a predetermined range is applied to the orally held portion 24 and the arms 31 are greatly warped up and down. In particular, it is preferable that an end portion of each arm 31 warps to a position above the height of the orally held portion 24. In this way, a load acts on the facial muscles of the user holding the orally held portion 24 to train the facial muscles.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 5, the core 27 has an outer peripheral surface where a concave-convex portion 271 is formed for hooking and holding the mouthpiece 28. The mouthpiece 28 is formed of soft synthetic plastic such as polyurethane that is softer and less slippery than the plastic for the core 27. The mouthpiece 28 has an inner peripheral surface where a concave-convex portion 281 is formed that can be fitted to the concave-convex portion 271 of the core 27. A
depression 282 to be held with lips is formed at both the upper and lower surfaces in the central portions of the outer peripheral surface of the mouthpiece 28. A concave portion 283 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of a tip portion of the mouthpiece 28. A convex portion 284 having a spherical surface is formed at a front end surface of the mouthpiece 28.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, a holding hole 29 is formed in a position at each of the opposite ends of the covering member 23. Each weight portion 25 is configured with the weight 30 attached detachably to the holding hole 29.
Various types of weights 30 having different weights are prepared. A weight 30 of an arbitrary weight is selected according to a training level requested by the user, for example, and attached detachably to the holding hole 29.

[0017] A method of using the facial muscle training tool 21 of the aforementioned structure will be described next.
To train facial muscles using the facial muscle training tool 21, 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 and are warped.
This warping 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.

[0018] 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 borne by 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.

[0019] In the facial muscle training tool 21 of the present embodiment, the elastic plate 22 is molded using the covering member 23 made of synthetic plastic. Thus, when the arms 31 warp to vibrate in resonance, except the vertical warping vibration of the arms 31 intended to be obtained for training, motions such as twisting action 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.

[0020] 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.
A method of manufacturing the facial muscle training tool

21 of the present embodiment will be described below.
[0021] First, the core 27 shown in Fig. 4 is formed by injection molding on the central outer surface of the elastic plate 22 using the elastic plate 22 as an insert.
Next, a bushing 26 is fitted in the outer through hole 222 in each end portion of the elastic plate 22. As a result, two bushings 26 protrude from both the front and back surfaces of the elastic plate 22.

[0022] Next, the elastic plate 22 is placed in a molding die and synthetic plastic to become the covering member 23 is injected into the die. In an initial stage of the injection of the synthetic plastic, the pressure of the injection does not act uniformly on the elastic plate 22 but it temporarily acts non-uniformly on the elastic plate 22. Hence, the elastic plate 22 is curved to cause risk such as an abrasion on a molding surface of a cavity 102 of the molding die 101 due to a sharp edge at the curved end of the elastic plate 22, for example. By contrast, in the present embodiment, if the elastic plate 22 is curved, the bushing 26 abuts on the molding surface of the cavity to prevent abutting contact of the elastic plate 22 with the molding surface.

[0023] Thus, risk of a scratch on the molding surface of the cavity can be prevented. In a state in which filling of the cavity 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.
As a result, after the molding, the elastic plate 22 is molded in a fixed position in the molded covering member 23.

[0024] The present embodiment achieves the following advantages.
(1) Since the whole outer surface of the elastic plate 22 is covered with the covering member 23, the facial muscle training tool 21 has an excellent appearance. 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.

[0025] (2) Also, since the whole outer surface of the elastic plate 22 is covered with the covering member 23, twisting action of the elastic plate 22 is absorbed or attenuated when the elastic plate 22 is curved. Since the covering member 23 constrains the elastic plate 22, fine vibration of the elastic plate 22 is suppressed. Thus, the lips are prevented from receiving actions other than the vertical warping, preventing the oral holding action from becoming difficult. The facial muscle training tool 21 of the present invention is therefore easy to use.

[0026] (3) Further, since the whole outer surface of the elastic plate 22 is covered with the covering member 23, edges of the elastic plate 22 are prevented from hitting and scratching, for example, a corner of a table.

[0027] (4) The covering member 23 has the holding holes 29, to which the weights 30 are attached detachably and which are located outside the elastic plate 22. Thus, the flexibility of the covering member 23 allows the weights 30 to be easily installed and removed. Also, having no holes for attaching the weights 30, the elastic plate 22 is easy to produce.

[0028] (5) 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.
(6) The mouthpiece 28 has rubber-like 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 excessively absorbs vibration of the arms 31 to reduce a load for training.

[0029] (7) The elastically deformable portion is constituted by the elastic plate 22 and the covering member 23, the specific gravity of which is less than that of the elastic plate 22. Thus, compared to a case in which the elastically deformable portion is constituted solely by the elastic plate 22, the weight of the facial muscle training tool 21 is reduced. That is, the elastic modulus of the elastically deformable portion is obtained through synergistic actions of the elastic moduli of the elastic plate 22 and the covering member 23. If the same elastic modulus were to be achieved solely by the elastic plate 22, the facial muscle training tool 21 would be heavier due to absence of the covering member of a smaller specific gravity. In contrast, the present embodiment does not involve such increase in the weight.

[0030]
Another Embodiment Another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The differences from the above illustrated embodiment will mainly be discussed.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the weights 30 of the first embodiment are omitted. A load-function portion 122 of a large area is formed at each of the opposite end portions of the elastic plate 22. The load-function portions 122 function to apply a load instead of the weights 30. Although not illustrated, this structure preferably includes through holes 222 of the elastic plate 22 and bushings 26, and the bushings 26 are each preferably provided at the tip of each load-function portion 122.

[0031] In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the parts count is reduced to achieve a simplified structure.
Modifications The above embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0032] The configuration of Fig. 6 may be modified as shown in Fig. 7. That is, holes 223 may be formed in parts of the covering member 23 on the elastic plate 22, so that parts of the elastic plate 22, that is, the inner peripheries of the holes 223, are exposed to the outside. In this case, unlike Patent Document 1, the synthetic plastic on the elastic plate 22 is not divided into two sections at the center, and the edges of the elastic plate 22 are not exposed. Thus, the configuration of Fig. 7 does not have the drawbacks of Patent Document 1. Rather, the holes 223 serve as accentuating features in the design or as adjusters for the weight balance.
Thus, the sizes, positions, and number of the holes 223 can be adjusted as necessary. In the present invention, the whole outer surface of the elastic plate 22, which is a core member, is deemed to be covered as long as the covering member 23 is not divided in the longitudinal direction of the elastic plate 22.

[0033] A material having a greater specific gravity than those of the elastic plate 22 and the covering member 23 may be provided at the end portions of the arms 31, and the parts at which the material is provided may function as load-function portions, which function as a load for warping the arms 31 up and down.

[0034] The thickness of the end portions of the arms 31 or the entire length of each arm 31 may be increased to cause the end portions of the arms 31 to function as load-function portions.
In the configurations of Figs. 6 and 7, the load-function portions 122 may be components prepared separately from the elastic plate 22. The load-function portions 122 may be configured without the elastic plate 22. In this case, the corresponding parts of the covering member 23 are increased in thickness or size.

[0035] The mouthpiece 28 may be fixed to the core 27 by integral molding, bonding, or welding. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 28 may be directly fixed to the elastic plate 22 without the core 27.
Without providing the core 27, the mouthpiece 28 may be attached detachably to the elastic plate 22.

[0036] The weights 30 may be fixed to the arms 31 by integral molding, bonding, or welding.
The elastic plate 22 may be made of a material different from a steel plate. For example, the elastic plate 22 may be made of a synthetic plastic plate or a fiber-glass reinforced plastic (FRP) plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0037] 21...Facial muscle training tool, 22...Elastic plate, 23...Covering member, 24...Orally held portion, 25...Weight portion, 27...Core, 28...Mouthpiece, 29...Holding hole, 30...Weight, 122...Load-function portion

Claims

1. A facial muscle training tool comprising:
an elastically deformable portion; and an orally held portion to be held with lips, wherein the orally held portion is provided at a middle position of the elastically deformable portion in a longitudinal direction of the elastically deformable portion, wherein the elastically deformable portion includes a core member having elasticity, and a covering member, which covers a whole outer surface of the core member.

2. The facial muscle training tool according to claim 1, wherein a weight is provided in a vicinity of each of opposite ends of the elastically deformable portion.

3. The facial muscle training tool according to claim 2, wherein the weights are attached detachably.

4. The facial muscle training tool according to claim 2, wherein the elastically deformable portion has holes, and each weight is attached detachably to one of the holes.

5. The facial muscle training tool according to claim 2, wherein a load-function portion, which functions as a load, is formed at each of opposite ends of the core member.