CN113993494A

CN113993494A - Improved massaging head for a massaging apparatus and massaging apparatus equipped with such a head

Info

Publication number: CN113993494A
Application number: CN202080044214.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 约翰·达索维勒; 安布罗瓦兹·德·拉·夏贝尔
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2019-06-20
Filing date: 2020-06-16
Publication date: 2022-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-16
Also published as: FR3097431A1; WO2020254297A1; KR20220024634A; EP3986355B1; CN113993494B; FR3097431B1; EP3986355A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a head (1) of a massaging apparatus, comprising: a frame (3); a first massage roller (4) extending along a first rotation axis (A-A') with respect to the frame (3); a second massage roller (5) extending along a second rotation axis (B-B') with respect to the frame (3); a drive system for driving the rollers (4, 5) in a counter-rotating manner; and an adjustment system for adjusting the relative position of the rollers (4, 5) during rotation of the second roller (5) in response to an external force exerted on the second roller (5) by the skin of the user, the adjustment system being designed and configured to keep the first axis (a-a ') fixed relative to the frame and to allow the second axis (B-B') to move between a first position defining a minimum spacing between the rollers and a second position defining a maximum spacing between the rollers.

Description

Improved massaging head for a massaging apparatus and massaging apparatus equipped with such a head

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the general technical field of skin massage devices, in particular domestic skin massage devices, and to massage heads for equipping such massage devices.

The present invention more particularly relates to a massage head for a massage apparatus, and a massage apparatus equipped with the massage head, the massage head including a frame, and a first massage roller and a second massage roller for contacting a user's skin, the first massage roller extending longitudinally along a first axis about which the first roller is rotatably mounted with respect to the frame, the second massage roller extending longitudinally along a second axis parallel to the first axis about which the second roller is rotatably mounted with respect to the frame.

Background

Hand-held skin massage devices are known, which generally consist of a body provided with a motor and a massage head comprising a plurality of massage rollers driven in rotation by the motor through a transmission mechanism. Typically, the massage rollers of these known devices are formed by a pair of parallel massage rollers which, when applied to the skin, massage the skin as they are rotated.

While such massage heads and devices are generally satisfactory, there is still room for improvement. In fact, they do not always allow as effective a mechanical massage of the skin as desired. Furthermore, the massage performed with these well-known massage heads and devices is sometimes unpleasant and even painful, especially when treating the skin area of the face. Finally, known massaging heads and devices generally have a relatively complex design, which tends to make them expensive to manufacture and negatively impact their reliability and robustness in use.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a novel massage head for a massage device, and a novel massage device which enables an effective and pleasant massage of the skin, while having a particularly simple and robust design.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel massage head for a massage device, and a novel massage device, which is particularly simple to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel massage head for a massage device, and a novel massage device, which are particularly simple to use, in particular for users without special expertise in skin massage.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel massage head for a massage device, and a novel massage device, which is particularly ergonomic.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a massage head for a massage apparatus, comprising:

-a frame for supporting the frame,

a first massage roller and a second massage roller for contacting the skin of a user, the first massage roller extending longitudinally along a first axis about which the first roller is rotatably mounted relative to the frame, the second massage roller extending longitudinally along a second axis parallel to the first axis about which the second roller is rotatably mounted relative to the frame,

-a drive system designed to drive in rotation said first and second rollers in counter-rotation,

-an adjustment system for adjusting the relative position of the first and second rollers in response to an external force exerted by a user's skin on at least the second roller during rotation of the second roller, the adjustment system being designed and configured to keep the first axis fixed relative to the frame while enabling the second axis to move between a first position defining a minimum spacing between the first and second rollers and a second position defining a maximum spacing between the first and second rollers.

The object of the present invention is also achieved by a massage apparatus including such a massage head.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more particularly and distinctly apparent from the description given below, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a massage head according to the invention in a side view, with the axis of the second massage roller of the massage head in a first position, which defines a minimum spacing between the first and second massage rollers of the massage head;

fig. 2 shows the massage head of fig. 1 in an opposite side view;

fig. 3 shows the massage head of fig. 1 and 2 in a perspective view;

fig. 4 shows the massage head of fig. 1 to 3 in a top view;

fig. 5 shows, in a side view, a massage head according to the invention, according to the same preferred embodiment as fig. 1 to 4, the axis of the second massage roller of the massage head now being in a second position defining the maximum spacing between the first and second massage rollers of the massage head;

fig. 6 shows the massage head of fig. 5 in an opposite side view;

fig. 7 shows the massage head of fig. 5 and 6 in a perspective view;

fig. 8 shows the massage head of fig. 5 to 7 in a top view;

fig. 9 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of the massage device according to the invention in a front view;

fig. 10 schematically shows the massage device of fig. 9 in a side view.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a massaging head 1 for a massaging apparatus, a non-limiting preferred embodiment of which is shown in fig. 1 to 8, and to a massaging apparatus 2 comprising such a massaging head 1, as shown by way of example in fig. 9 and 10. In the sense of the present invention, it is a skin massaging head 1 and a skin massaging device 2 for mechanically treating the skin of a human user. It is obviously not excluded that the head 1 and/or the device 2 can be used by one person to mechanically treat the skin of another person or possibly an animal. Preferably, the massaging head 1 and/or the massaging apparatus 2 according to the invention are intended to be used in a domestic environment by users lacking professional skills in personal care, in particular in skin massage. Although the massage heads 1 according to the preferred embodiments shown in fig. 1 to 8 and the massage apparatuses 2 shown in fig. 9 to 10 are more preferably used for massaging skin areas of the face, their use in terms of body areas to be treated is not particularly limited.

The massage head 1 according to the invention comprises a frame 3, which preferably forms a housing 3 (or shell), as shown in the preferred embodiments of fig. 1 to 8. Such a housing 3 may advantageously define at least part of the visible outer casing of the massaging head 1. As shown, the housing 3 may be formed, for example, by two half-

shells

3A, 3B (for example made of plastic material) assembled together by screwing or by any other suitable means (for example by gluing, welding, snapping, etc.). Alternatively, the housing 3 may be formed of a single integral shell. The massage head 1 further comprises a first massage roller 4 and a second massage roller 5, which are preferably used to simultaneously contact the skin of the user. The first massage roller 4 extends longitudinally along a first axis (or first direction) a-a ' about which the first roller 4 is rotatably mounted relative to the frame 3, while the second massage roller 5 extends longitudinally along a second axis (or second direction) B-B ' substantially parallel to the first axis a-a ' about which the second roller 5 is rotatably mounted relative to the frame 3. In other words, the first axis A-A 'forms the axis of rotation of the first roller 4, while the second axis B-B' forms the axis of rotation of the second roller 5. The frame 3 defines a fixed reference frame for the massage head 1.

The massaging head 1 also comprises a drive system (for example of the gear train type) designed to drive the first and

second rollers

4, 5 in rotation about their respective first and second axes a-a ', B-B'. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the drive system is housed inside a casing 3 which advantageously forms the frame 3. The massaging head 1 advantageously comprises an application surface 6, the application surface 6 being intended to be positioned opposite (and preferably in contact with) the surface of the user's skin, the first and

second massaging rollers

4, 5 projecting at least partially outside (i.e. beyond) said application surface 6. Preferably, the drive system is designed to actively transmit the rotational movement of the motor, in particular a built-in motor, as described below, simultaneously to the two rollers 4, 5 (active drive system). Alternatively, however, the drive system may be designed to transfer, without a motor, the rotational movement of one of the

rollers

4, 5 caused by the user applying and moving said roller on his skin to the other of said

rollers

4, 5.

Advantageously, the massaging apparatus 2 according to the invention is a portable manual apparatus, i.e. for gripping, using and moving by hand. As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the massage device 2 preferably comprises a main body 7, the main body 7 forming a handle 8 (or grip) for manual grasping, and typically comprising a working end 9, at which the massage head 1 according to the invention is preferably detachably fixed. Said main body 7 can be formed, for example, by two half-

shells

7A, 7B, which are assembled to each other, preferably in a watertight manner, so as to define, on the one hand, an outer surface forming a gripping zone of the user for the massaging apparatus 2 and, on the other hand, an inner space within which the various functional elements necessary for the normal operation of the massaging apparatus 2, in particular for the normal operation of the massaging head 1, can be housed. Alternatively, the main body 7 may be formed by a single integral shell into which the functional element may be inserted.

In this respect, the massaging apparatus 2 advantageously comprises built-in motorized means (or motors), preferably housed inside said main body 7, for mechanical connection to the drive system of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 of the massaging head 1, to ensure the rotation of the rollers. Preferably, it is a motorized member with an electric motor (e.g. a direct current motor, preferably servo-controlled). However, the motorized member may be of the pneumatic type (e.g., an air turbine) or other type. Optionally, the motorized means may also comprise a speed reduction motor arranged at the output of the electric motor or air turbine to reduce the rotation speed and adapt it to the needs of use. The massage device 2 may also optionally comprise a control unit (electromechanical or electronic) for the general operation of the massage device 2, by means of which the user can switch the massage device 2 on/off, adjust its general operating mode, or adjust some specific parameter thereof (e.g. the rotational speed of the

rollers

4, 5, the rotational direction of the

rollers

4, 5, etc.). As shown in fig. 9, the control unit may advantageously be provided in the main body 7 of the massage device 2 and accessible to the user through the control panel 10. The massage device 2 may also optionally include a power block. The power block may for example comprise batteries of replaceable or rechargeable accumulators arranged within the main body 7 of the massaging apparatus 2 to allow autonomous, mobile use of the massaging apparatus, or comprise a power transformer (whether built-in or not) and for connection to a conventional power socket via an external power cord (not shown).

According to a variant, the main body 7 of the device 2 and the massaging head 1 are integral with each other, so that, in normal use, the user cannot separate the massaging head 1 from said main body 7. According to another more advantageous variant, the massaging apparatus 2 comprises detachable connection means of said main body 7 of the massaging head 1, for example by interlocking, so that the massaging head 1 is thus assembled to the main body 7 in a temporary, non-permanent manner, and can thus be detached from the main body 7 by the user, for example for the purpose of maintenance or replacement of the massaging head 1.

The above-described drive system of the massage head 1 is more specifically designed to drive the first and

second rollers

4, 5 to rotate in counter-rotation. In other words, the drive system is designed to ensure that the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are simultaneously rotated in opposite counter-rotational directions about the first axis of rotation A-A 'and the second axis of rotation B-B', respectively. The drive system advantageously prevents said first and

second rollers

4, 5 from rotating in the same direction and freely about their respective axes a-a ', B-B'. Not shown in the figures, the drive system may be designed by any known gear, pulley, belt, etc. mechanism to mechanically transfer the motion of the motorized member of the massage device 2 to the first and

second rollers

4, 5 when the massage head 1 is connected to the main body 7 of the massage device 2.

According to a first variant, the drive system is designed to drive said first and

second rollers

4, 5 in rotation, preferably in a synchronized manner, so that, in a plan view perpendicular to said first and second axes a-a ', B-B', the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are arranged at the top, the part of the roller that protrudes to the left from said application surface rotates in an anti-triangular (or clockwise) direction, while the part of the roller that protrudes to the right from said application surface 6 rotates in a triangular (or anti-clockwise) direction. Thus, when the massage head 1 is used, when the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are positioned in contact with the skin, their rotational movement achieves the effect that the skin is wrinkled between the first and

second rollers

4, 5. The massaging head 1 can then be advantageously used to implement a massaging technique called "touch-rolling", which allows in particular to activate the venous and lymphatic circulation and to soften the skin by stimulating fibroblasts and accelerating the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid by kneading the skin. According to a second variant, the drive system is designed to drive said first and

second rollers

4, 5 are arranged at the top, the part of the left side of the roller projecting from said application surface rotates in a triangular (or anticlockwise) direction, while the part of the right side of the roller projecting from said application surface 6 rotates in an anti-triangular (or clockwise) direction. Thus, when the massage head 1 is used, the rotational movement of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 creates a "stretching" effect on the skin when they are positioned in contact with the skin. It is also conceivable, according to a third variant, for the drive system to be designed to drive the rotation of said first and

second rollers

4, 5 alternately according to the first (creasing) and second (stretching) variants described above, according to a user's choice (for example, by a user acting on the control panel 10).

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, each of these first and

second massage rollers

4, 5 is substantially cylindrical with a circular base, so that the space separating their respective surfaces is constant along the first and second axes a-a ', B-B'. However, depending on the intended application, it may be interesting for one and/or the other of said first and

second rollers

4, 5 to have a different overall shape, for example convex or concave. Depending on the intended application and the skin area to be treated, the surface (or outer portion) of the first and/or

second roller

4, 5 may have a substantially smooth appearance, or, conversely, may have a different shape or configuration, such as a flange, hook, spike, blade, etc., in order to facilitate, among other things, the adhesion of at least one

roller

4, 5 to the skin. Furthermore, the first and/or second roller 4, 5 (or at least the portion of the roller defining the surface or external portion thereof) may be made of a substantially rigid material lacking elasticity, or, conversely, of a material having a certain elasticity (for example an elastomer), so as to facilitate adhesion of at least one of the

rollers

4, 5 to the skin and to improve comfort of use.

The massage head 1 according to the present invention further comprises an adjustment system for adjusting the relative position of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 in response to an external force exerted by the skin of a user on at least the second roller 5 (preferably, on the first and second rollers 4, 5) during rotation of the second roller 5. Preferably at least partially arranged within the housing 3 of the massage head 1, the adjustment system being designed and configured to (permanently) keep the first axis a-a 'stationary with respect to the frame 3 of the massage head 1, while on the other hand, during rotation of the second roller 5, the second axis B-B' is allowed to move between:

on the one hand, a minimum distance E between the first and

second massage rollers

4, 5 is defined_minA first position (not zero) (as shown in fig. 1 to 4), and

on the other hand, a maximum spacing E between the first and

second massage rollers

4, 5 is defined_maxAs shown in fig. 5-8.

The "pitch" herein refers to the space, distance, separated by the respective surfaces of the

rollers

4, 5. In other words, when the massage head 1 is operated, the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are driven in counter-rotation by the drive system of the massage head 1 and are in contact with the skin of the user, and the system for adjusting the relative positions of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 varies the spacing of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 depending on the intensity of the external force exerted by the skin of the user on at least the second roller 5 (preferably on the first and second rollers 4, 5), which force normally tends to move the first and

second rollers

4, 5 away from each other. In this case, these forces are generated in particular by the reaction of the skin to the forces exerted by the user on the skin by the massage head 1. The distance between the

rollers

4, 5 can thus be increased depending on the intensity of the force applied by the skin to at least the second roller 5. This results in a variable working area of the skin being defined, the extent of which is defined by the position of the second roller 5 relative to the first roller 4, in dependence on the external force exerted by the user's skin on at least the second roller 5. This adjustment allows the massaging head 1 to perfectly adapt to the user's skin area during the treatment process, thus ensuring that the massage to the skin is both effective and pleasant (by limiting the risk of local pain associated with the action of the rollers 4, 5). In particular, the risk of the skin being trapped between the first and

second rollers

4, 5, which can be encountered with the massaging heads of the prior art, is significantly limited (if not eliminated) by the action of the relative position adjustment system of said

rollers

4, 5. Furthermore, the fact that only the second axis B-B' and the second roller 5 are able to move with respect to the frame 3 of the massage head 1 according to the invention simplifies in particular the design and manufacture of the massage head 1, while improving its reliability and robustness of use, and without adversely affecting the massage effect provided and the comfort of the user of the massage head 1.

Preferably, said minimum spacing E_minAnd a maximum distance E_maxBy the design of the adjustment system and according to the design of the appropriate size (in particular diameter) of the first and

second rollers

4, 5, such that

When the second axis B-B' is in its first position, the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are separated from each other by a minimum distance d of approximately between 2 and 10mm, more preferably between 4 and 8mm, more preferably equal to 6mm_min，

When the second axis B-B' is in its second position, the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are separated from each other by between 8 and 20mm, more preferably between 10 and 12mm, and even more preferablyA maximum distance d equal to 10mm_max。

These distances d are when the second roller 5 is in its first position and when it is in its second position_minAnd d_maxWhich are considered here to correspond to the minimum and maximum distances apart of two given points of the respective surfaces of the first and

second rollers

4, 5, respectively, located opposite each other in a plane containing the axes a-a ', B-B' of the

rollers

4, 5. Minimum distance d_minAnd a maximum distance d_maxMay advantageously be chosen differently, in particular depending on the skin area of the body to be treated, in order to optimize the effectiveness of the massage and the comfort of use. Therefore, in order to use the massaging head 1 for treating the facial skin region, in particular in the case where the direction of rotation of the

rollers

4, 5 coincides with the first variant considered previously (i.e. in order to implement the so-called "touch-scrolling" technique), the minimum spacing E is such that_minIs advantageously defined such that the minimum distance d between the first and

second rollers

4, 5_minPreferably equal to about 6mm, and a maximum spacing E_maxWill advantageously be defined such that the maximum distance d between the first and

second rollers

4, 5_maxPreferably equal to about 10 mm.

Therefore, in order to use the massaging head 1 for treating the skin areas of the legs or buttocks, in particular in the case where the direction of rotation of the

rollers

4, 5 coincides with the first variant considered previously (i.e. in order to implement the so-called "touch-scrolling" technique), the minimum spacing E is such that_minCan advantageously be defined such that the minimum distance d between the first and

second rollers

4, 5_minPreferably equal to about 10mm, and a maximum spacing E_maxCan advantageously be defined such that the maximum distance d between the first and

second rollers

4, 5 is_maxPreferably equal to about 15 mm.

Therefore, in order to use the massaging head 1 for treating the skin area of the arm, in particular in the case where the direction of rotation of the

rollers

second rollers

4, 5_minPreferably equal to about 5mm, and a maximum spacing E_maxCan be advantageously defined asSo that the maximum distance d between the first and

second rollers

4, 5_maxPreferably equal to about 10 mm.

Preferably, the adjustment system for adjusting the relative position of said first and

second rollers

4, 5 is also designed to keep the first and

second rollers

4, 5 initially spaced from each other in the absence of any external force exerted on at least the second roller 5. In other words, the adjustment system is designed to ensure an initial spacing E of the first and second rollers 4, 5_ini(non-zero) even if the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are not in contact with the user's skin and the massage heads are at rest, or even stopped. The presence of such an initial spacing between the first and

second rollers

4, 5 advantageously facilitates a robust massage (by wrinkling or stretching, depending on the direction of rotation of the rollers 4, 5) of the skin immediately upon application of the massage head 1 to the skin. In the case of a massaging head 1 for treating a skin region according to the so-called "touch-scrolling" technique (i.e. the first and

second rollers

4, 5 rotate in a direction corresponding to the first drive variant described above), this initial spacing E_iniIt is also advantageous to facilitate the insertion of the skin into the work area once the user applies the

rollers

4, 5 in contact with his/her skin. This insertion is performed very painlessly, easily and even without any special handling by the user. This improves the ease of use and ergonomics of the massage head 1.

For example, in the case of a massaging head 1 for treating a facial region according to the so-called "touch-scrolling" technique, the first and

second rollers

4, 5 can therefore advantageously maintain an initial spacing from each other of at least 2 to 8mm, even more preferably at least 5mm (or even 6 mm).

Advantageously, the adjustment system can be designed to keep the first and

second rollers

4, 5 at the above-mentioned minimum spacing E_minSame initial spacing E_ini. In other words, the adjustment system keeps the second axis B-B' in its first position even if the skin does not exert any force on at least the second roller 5. Thus, the second position of the second axis B-B' is a rest position. This further contributes to simplify the design of the system for adjusting the relative position of the

rollers

4, 5, and more generally, to haveHelping to simplify the design of the massage head 1.

Preferably, as is the case in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the system for adjusting the relative position of the first and

second massage rollers

4, 5 is designed and constructed so that the displacement of the second axis B-B' between said first and second positions follows a circular arc shaped trajectory, with the centre of the curve advantageously positioned towards the inside of the frame 3. This configuration advantageously makes it possible to facilitate the adjustment of the relative spacing of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 under the effect of the pressure exerted by the user, according to the profile of the skin area to be treated. In fact, such a circular arc trajectory is well suited to allow the massaging head 1 to follow the contours of the user's skin, provided that most of the area to be treated with the massaging head 1 has a relatively circular shape (face, legs, arms, hips, etc.). Furthermore, this configuration advantageously contributes to the simplicity of design and the small volume of the massaging head 1.

In this respect, the adjustment system preferably comprises, on the one hand, a first support member 11 of the first roller 4, which first support member 11 is immovable with respect to the frame 3, and, on the other hand, a second support member 12 of the second roller 5, which second support member 12 is separate from said first support member 11 and is itself pivotally mounted with respect to the frame 3 about a third axis (or third direction) C-C ' parallel to the first axis a-a ' and the second axis B-B '. The first and

second support members

11, 12 are designed to support the first and

second rollers

4, 5 rotatable about the first and second axes a-a ', B-B', respectively, for example by means of a first rigid axis (not visible in the figures) and a second rigid axis 13 (for example in the form of a stainless steel bar), the first and second rigid axes 13 axially passing through the first and

second massage rollers

4, 5, respectively, so as to advantageously form a rigid axis of rotation for said

rollers

4, 5. As shown, said third axis C-C 'is advantageously located below the application surface 6, so that the curvilinear centre of the circular arc shaped trajectory of the second axis B-B' is located towards the inside of the frame 3. Advantageously, the first support member 11 may be integrally formed with all or part of the frame 3. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, in which the frame 3 forms the casing 3 formed by the two half-

shells

3A, 3B, the first support member 11 is itself advantageously formed by two

complementary support elements

11A, 11B, each forming a single integral part with one of the two half-

shells

3A, 3B. Advantageously, the second support member 12 can be formed by a single integral part, on the one hand pivotally mounted with respect to the frame 3 by means of a third rigid axis (not visible in the figures) according to the principle of pivotal connection, and on the other hand connected to the second roller 5 by means of said second rigid axis 13. Therefore, the manufacturing and assembling of the massage head 1 become easier while ensuring the mobility of the second support member 12 and the second roller 5.

As shown in the figures, the first and

second support members

11, 12 advantageously define the application surface 6 of the above-described massaging head 1. The application surface 6 also constitutes a support surface, similar to a guide, for the user not to press the

rollers

4, 5 too deep into the skin, so as to optimize the ergonomics and safety of use of the massaging head 1. Preferably, the first and

second support members

11, 12 are shaped so as to advantageously limit the risk of skin or user's fingers being pinched between the frame 3 and the first and

second massage rollers

4, 5.

Advantageously, the massaging head 1 comprises a return member 14, the return member 14 being configured and arranged to exert a force tending to return the second axis of extension B-B' of the second massaging roller 5 towards said first position when the second massaging roller 5 is in said second position. Thus, the return member 14 has the effect of drawing the first and

second rollers

4, 5 closer when the first and

second rollers

4, 5 are moved away from each other under the action of an external force exerted on at least said second roller 5, in particular by the skin of the user. The use of such return means 14 advantageously allows the adjustment system for adjusting the relative position of the axes a-a ', B-B' of the

rollers

4, 5 to have a dynamic nature, particularly advantageous for the continuous contact between the first and

second rollers

4, 5 and the skin during the treatment of the skin with the massaging head 1. Such return members 14 also advantageously allow the adjustment system to adjust the spacing of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 until the forces exerted directly and/or indirectly on these

rollers

4, 5 reach equilibrium. In fact, when the force exerted by the skin on at least the second roller 5 is greater than the force exerted by the return member 14, the force exerted by the skin on the second roller 5 makes it possible to oppose the return effect of the return member 14 and to separate the

rollers

4, 5 by moving the second roller 5 in the direction of the second position of the second roller 5. Conversely, if the force exerted by the skin on at least the second roller 5 is lower than the force exerted by the return member 14 respectively, the return member 14 returns the second roller 5 to its first position, bringing the first and

second rollers

4, 5 closer until an equilibrium position is reached. Obtaining such a balance advantageously makes it possible to control and limit the force exerted by the massaging head 1 on the skin (in particular the force with which the skin is creased in the case of operation according to the "touch-and-roll" technique), in order to limit pain, in particular by automatically adapting to the skin characteristics (thickness, elasticity, etc.) of the area to be treated. The implementation of the return member 14 thus makes it possible to select, by design, the maximum permissible force in the working area, i.e. between the first and

second rollers

4, 5, so that this force (in particular caused by the pressure exerted on the skin) is not left to the discretion of the user of the massaging head 1 as is the case with prior art massaging heads. This greatly increases the safety and simplicity of use of the massaging head 1 and the device 2 that are the subject of the invention, allowing them to be used by non-qualified users (i.e. those who have no specific knowledge in the field of massage).

The return member 14 may be of any known suitable type and may, for example, include one or more helical tension or compression springs ("coil" springs), one or more helical torsion springs, one or more leaf springs, or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures (in particular in fig. 4 and 8), the return means 14 comprise a single torsion helical spring 15, one leg of which is positioned against the surface of the frame 3, the other leg of which is positioned against the surface of the second support member 12 of the second roller 5, and the turn of which is wound on a third shaft connecting the second support member 12 to the frame 3. It is clear that other arrangements and configurations of the return member 14 may be retained to obtain the desired return effect without departing from the scope of the invention.

Advantageously, the calibration of the return member 14, in particular its return force, is selected according to a skin resistance threshold, depending on the intended application and the skin area to be treated. Therefore, below the skin resistance threshold, when the massage head 1 is used, the second roller 5 approaches the first roller 4 by the return member 14. Conversely, beyond this threshold, the return force of the return member 14 is less than the resistance of the skin, so that the second roller 5 tends to move away from the first roller 4, with its second axis of extension B-B' moving towards its second position. This thus improves the efficiency and comfort of the massage head 1 in massaging the skin, while ensuring the safety of the non-qualified user in using the massage head 1.

Preferably, the return member 14 is calibrated so that it exerts a return force of the second axis B-B' from its second position to its first position, which is between 2N and 20N, more preferably between 4N and 10N. For example, in the case where the return member 14 comprises a single helical torsion spring 15, as in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the torsion of this helical torsion spring 15 may advantageously be between 10 and 50Nmm, even more advantageously between 20 and 40 Nmm. Such a calibration is in fact particularly suitable for treating a facial skin region by means of the massaging head 1 according to the aforementioned technique called "touch scrolling".

Advantageously, the first and second positions of the second extension and of the rotation axis B-B' of the second roller 5 are stop positions, so as to mechanically limit the relative separation range of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 in a reliable and repeatable manner. According to a variant of particularly simple design, the first and second positions are defined by fixed mechanical stops, once and for all, when designing the massaging head 1. No special adjustment by the user is required. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the second position of the second axis B-B 'of the second roller 5 is defined by two transverse fixed stops 16A, 16B, which are arranged at the second support member 12 (fig. 1 and 2) and which, when the second axis B-B' is in its second position (fig. 5 and 6), abut against the outer surface of the housing 3 formed by the frame 3 of the massage head 1. Alternatively, a single fixed stop may be considered. Advantageously, as shown in the example of fig. 5 and 6, the

stops

16A, 16B are designed and dimensioned to keep the surface of the second roller 5 at a distance from the frame 3, so as to avoid any contact between them when the second rotation axis B-B' of the second roller 5 is in its second position. Second rollerThe first position of the second axis B-B 'of the roller 5 may be defined, for example, by at least one fixed stop (preferably two, not visible in the figures) arranged at the second support member 12 and abutting against the surface of the first support member 11 of the first roller 4 when the second axis B-B' is in its first position. In the embodiment shown in the figures, this fixed stop also advantageously prevents any interaction between the second support member 12 and the drive system housed inside the casing 3. According to another variant (not shown), the first and second positions may be instead one and/or the other defined by adjustable mechanical stops (for example with screws), so that the user may define and adjust the desired minimum spacing E himself_minAnd a maximum distance E_maxThe value of (c).

As shown, the frame or casing 3 may advantageously extend along a fourth axis (or fourth direction) D-D' between:

a distal end 17 at which the massaging head 1 is intended to be connected to a manual grip handle of generally elongated shape, such as in particular the handle 8 formed by the main body 7 of the massaging apparatus 2 according to the invention, along a fifth axis (or fifth direction) E-E ', such that the fourth and fifth axes D-D ', E-E ' are parallel or coincide,

and an opposite proximal end, at or above which the application surface 6 of the massaging head 1 is preferably located.

As shown in the figure, the massage head 1 can then advantageously be designed and configured to define a plane P of contact of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 with the skin₁The plane P₁Oriented in a manner secant and not orthogonal to said fourth extension axis D-D 'of the frame 3 of the massaging head 1, and this also preferably independently of the (first or second) position in which the second extension and the rotation axis B-B' of the second roller 5 are located. Preferably, when the second axis B-B' is in its first position, according to a minimum contact angle α of at least 15 °_minAnd according to a maximum contact angle alpha of at most 110 DEG when the second axis B-B' is in its second position, respectively_maxThe contact plane P of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 with the skin₁Secant and non-orthogonal to the fourth axis D-D'.Contact plane P of the

rollers

4, 5 with the skin₁Such a tilting of the massage head and the massage device 1 contributes to an excellent ergonomics of the latter, to their handling and use, wherever the skin area to be treated is.

Even more preferably, the minimum contact angle α is, in particular in the case of a massaging head 1 for treating a facial skin region_minCan advantageously be chosen equal to 72.5 deg., while the maximum contact angle alpha is_maxMay advantageously be chosen equal to 91.5 °.

Advantageously, as in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the third pivot axis C-C 'of the second support member 12 of the second roller 5 with respect to the frame 3 of the massaging head 1 can be included in a plane containing the fourth extension axis D-D' of said frame 3, which contributes to a simple and compact design of the massaging head 1. In this case, the adjustment system for adjusting the relative position of the first and

second rollers

4, 5 may advantageously be designed and configured so that the plane P, which comprises on the one hand the first axis A-A' and the third axis C-C₂And on the other hand a plane P comprising a second axis B-B' and a third axis C-C₃Define a minimum opening angle β between 95 ° and 110 ° (preferably equal to 105 °) when said second axis B-B' is in its first position_minDefining a maximum opening angle β between 135 ° and 150 ° (preferably equal to 143 °), when said second axis B-B' is respectively in said second position_max。

Claims

1. A massage head (1) of a massage device, comprising:

-a frame (3),

-a first massage roller (4) and a second massage roller (5) for contacting the skin of a user, the first massage roller (4) extending longitudinally along a first axis (A-A '), the first roller (4) being rotatably mounted with respect to the frame (3) about the first axis, the second massage roller (5) extending longitudinally along a second axis (B-B ') parallel to the first axis (A-A '), the second roller (5) being rotatably mounted with respect to the frame (3) about the second axis,

-a drive system designed to drive in rotation said first and second rollers (4, 5) in counter-rotation,

-an adjustment system for adjusting the relative position of the first and second rollers (4, 5) in response to an external force exerted by the user's skin on at least the second roller (5) during rotation of the second roller (5), the adjustment system being designed and configured to keep the first axis (a-a ') fixed with respect to the frame (3) while enabling the second axis (B-B ') to define a minimum spacing (E) between the first and second rollers (4, 5)_min) And defining a maximum spacing (E) between said first and second rollers (4, 5)_max) To the second position.

2. The massaging head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the adjustment system is designed to keep the first and second rollers (4, 5) initially separated from each other without any external force being exerted on at least the second roller (5).

3. The massaging head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and second rollers (4, 5) are initially kept separated from each other by an initial spacing of at least 2 to 8mm, preferably at least 5 mm.

4. The massaging head (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the minimum spacing (E)_min) And maximum distance (E)_max) The definition is:

-when said second axis (B-B') is in said first position, said first and second rollers (4, 5) are separated from each other by a minimum distance (d) of between 2 and 10mm, preferably between 4 and 8mm, even more preferably equal to about 6mm_min)；

-when said second axis (B-B') is in said second position, said first and second rollers (4, 5) are separated from each other by a maximum distance (d) of between 8 and 20mm, preferably between 10 and 12mm, even more preferably equal to about 10mm_max)。

5. The massaging head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an application surface (6) for positioning opposite a user's skin surface, the first and second rollers (4, 5) protruding at least partially out of the application surface (6).

6. The massaging head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the drive system is designed to drive the first and second rollers (4, 5) in rotation, preferably in a synchronized manner, such that in a plan view perpendicular to the first and second axes (a-a ', B-B'), the first and second rollers (4, 5) are arranged at the top, the part of the rollers that protrudes to the left from the application surface (6) rotates in the direction of an inverse triangle, and the part of the rollers that protrudes to the right from the application surface (6) rotates in the direction of a triangle.

7. The massaging head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment system is designed and configured such that the movement of the second axis (B-B') between the first and second positions follows a circular arc trajectory.

8. The massaging head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the adjustment system comprises a first support member (11) of the first roller (5) and a second support member (12) of the second roller (5), the first support member (11) being immovable with respect to the frame (3), the second support member (12) being pivotably mounted with respect to the frame (3) about a third axis (C-C ') parallel to the first axis (a-a ') and the second axis (B-B ').

9. The massaging head (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second positions are detent positions.

10. The massaging head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a return member (14), the return member (14) being constructed and arranged to exert a force tending to return the second extension axis (B-B') of the second massaging roller (5) towards the first position when the second massaging roller (5) is in the second position.

11. The massaging head (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (3) extends along a fourth axis (D-D') between:

-a distal end (17) at which the massaging head (1) is intended to be connected to a generally elongated shaped manual grip handle (8) along a fifth axis (E-E ') such that the fourth and fifth axes (D-D ', E-E ') are parallel or coincide,

-and an opposite proximal end, the massaging head (1) being designed and configured to define a plane (P) of contact of the first and second rollers (4, 5) with the skin₁) Said plane being oriented in a manner that is secant and not orthogonal to said fourth axis (D-D '), preferably whatever position said second axis (B-B') is in.

12. The massaging head (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein when the second axis (B-B') is in the first position, according to a minimum contact angle (a) of at least 15 °, preferably equal to 72.5 °_min) Correspondingly, when said second axis (B-B') is in said second position, according to a maximum contact angle (α) of at most 110 °, preferably equal to 91.5 °_max) The contact plane (P) of the first and second rollers (4, 5) with the skin₁) Is secant and not orthogonal to said fourth axis (D-D').

13. A massaging apparatus (2) comprising a massaging head (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

14. The device (2) according to the preceding claim, comprising a main body (7) forming a manual grip handle (8), the massaging head (1) being fixed at a working end (9) of the main body (7).

15. The device (2) according to the preceding claim, comprising connecting means for removably connecting the massaging head (1) to the main body (7).

16. Device (2) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising built-in motorized means, preferably electric motors, for mechanical connection to the drive system to ensure rotation of the first and second massage rollers (5, 6) of the massage head (1).