Field of the Invention
-
The present invention relates to a cosmetic
device for achieving cosmetic effect by giving ultrasonic
vibration to the skin. In particular, the present invention
relates to a skin care pad provided with a ultrasonic
transducer.
Description of the Related Art
-
As described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No.
2000-233009, a cosmetic device comprising a pad and an
ultrasonic transducer which gives ultrasonic vibration to
the pad is known. This cosmetic device is constructed so
that ultrasonic waves oscillated from the ultrasonic
transducer are propagated to the skin via the pad while
sliding the pad on a skin surface. By using the cosmetic
device in this manner, cosmetic effects including body
metabolism stimulatory effect can be achieved through
massaging action and deep thermal action by thermal energy
effects, etc.
-
Additionally, as described in Japanese Patent
Laid-open No. 2002-000684, a cosmetic device having a belt
in which multiple probes having ultrasonic transducers
built-in are disposed is also known. Because this cosmetic
device can be wrapped around the body, ultrasonic waves
oscillated from the ultrasonic transducer are propagated to
the skin via a pad without sliding the cosmetic device on
the skin surface, and the same effects as achieved by the
cosmetic device described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No.
2000-233009 can be achieved.
-
When the above-mentioned cosmetic devices are
used, a gel or a cream is applied to the skin surface or the
skin-surface-contact portion of the cosmetic device to
improve ultrasonic wave propagation efficiency by contacting
the skin-surface-contact portion of the cosmetic device with
a skin surface. Subsequently, the skin-surface-contact
portion of the cosmetic device is placed onto the skin
surface using light pressure and is moved along the skin
surface if needed.
-
However, when the above-mentioned cosmetic
devices are used, it is required not only to apply a gel or
a cream on the skin surface or the skin-surface-contact
portion of the cosmetic device, but also to wipe out the gel
or the cream applied to the skin surface or the skin-surface-contact
portion of the cosmetic device.
Additionally, the gel or the cream applied to the skin
surface or the skin-surface-contact portion of the cosmetic
device may get through inside the cosmetic device and
shorten the life of the cosmetic device.
-
The cosmetic device described in Japanese
Patent Laid-open No. 2002-000684 is able to give vibration
by ultrasonic waves to a broad surface of skin surface
without sliding it on the skin surface. However, the
cosmetic device needs to comprise many ultrasonic
transducers; hence, it is difficult to reduce manufacturing
costs.
-
The present invention has been achieved to
solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present
invention is to provide a cosmetic device which is capable
of contacting a skin-surface-contact portion of the cosmetic
device with a skin surface without applying a gel or a cream
and which is capable of improving propagation efficiency of
ultrasonic vibration onto a broad surface or a localized
surface of skin surface without increasing manufacturing
costs.
Summary of the Invention
-
In an embodiment, the present invention
provides a cosmetic device for improving skin conditions
comprising: (i) a fluid-storing portion fluid-tightly
storing a fluid therein comprised of a thin material, on a
surface of which portion a planar contact surface adapted to
contact a skin of the body is formed; and (ii) at least one
ultrasonic transducer disposed near or at the fluid-storing
portion to propagate ultrasonic waves through the fluid to
the skin. According to the above embodiment, the fluid is
fluid-tightly stored in the fluid-storing portion, and is
not in contact with the body. The outer surface of the
planar contact surface is also not in contact with the
fluid. Ultrasonic waves are propagated through the fluid to
a skin. Thus, a fluid need not be applied on the skin to
enhance ultrasonic wave energy, and the skin and the outer
surface of the planar contact surface are in dry contact
with each other, thereby increasing operability and sanitary
conditions.
-
The present invention further includes, but is
not limited to, the following embodiments:
-
The fluid-storing portion may be configured to
form a fluid layer therein having a thickness of about 1 mm
to about 10 mm, preferably in the range of about 5 mm to
about 10 mm, in view of propagation efficiency (in an
embodiment, about 6 mm to about 8 mm). The thin material
constituting the fluid-storing portion may be made of any
soft resin which preferably has affinity with the skin, does
not interfere with ultrasonic wave propagation, exhibits
elasticity in wide temperature ranges, and has resistance to
weather, heat, and chemicals such as acids, alkaline, and
alcohol. Such a material includes, but is not limited to,
vinyl chloride resin, styrene base thermoplastic elastomer,
and a mixture of such an elastomer and an olefin resin
(e.g., PP and PE).
-
In the above, the fluid-storing portion may be
configured to give the planar contact surface in an area of
about 1 cm2 to about 2,000 cm2, preferably in the range of
about 5 cm2 to about 500 cm2, depending on the target area
of the body. The target area includes, but is not limited
to, the face, the neck, the back, the shoulders, the arms,
the thighs, the calves, the abdomen, the chest, the feet,
the knees, the elbows, etc. The skin can be improved by
massaging effect and thermal action effect.
-
The fluid may be any suitable fluid which
propagates ultrasonic waves such as a gel or cream. In an
embodiment, the gel or cream designed for direct application
to the skin can be used. In an embodiment, the gel or cream
may have a viscosity of 1,000-25,000 cP at room temperature
(if it is liquid) or have a gel strength of 10-100 g/cm2 at
room temperature (if it is gelatinous). The gel or cream
may contain water, glycerin, amino acid salts, etc.
-
In an embodiment, each transducer may be
disposed on a surface of the fluid-storing portion opposite
to the planar contact surface. In this case, ultrasonic
waves are propagated through the fluid in a vertical
direction. The at least one transducer may be multiple
transducers, and the fluid-storing portion may be divided
into multiple compartments by isolation walls, wherein each
compartment corresponds to each transducer. This depends on
the size of the fluid-storing portion and the size of the
transducer. The isolation walls may have through holes
through which the fluid passes. Additionally, in the above,
the device may further comprise a controller which transmits
ultrasonic wave signals to each transducer in sequence so as
to prevent isolating ultrasonic energy in one spot and to
cover a wide area, thereby increasing massaging and thermal
effect.
-
In the above, when propagation of ultrasonic
waves is accomplished in a vertical direction, preferably,
the transducer is capable of emitting ultrasonic waves at a
frequency of about 500 kHz to about 10 MHz, preferably in
the range of about 1 MHz to about 5 MHz. In an embodiment,
the transducer is capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves
having multiple frequencies, and a frequency can be selected
by a switch (e.g., 1 MHz, 1.5 MHz, 2 MHz, 3 MHz). The
frequency may be selected depending on the target location
and the skin conditions.
-
In another embodiment, each transducer may be
disposed at one longitudinal end of the fluid-storing
portion at an acute angle with respect to an exposed surface
of the fluid stored in the fluid-storing portion to generate
surface waves in the fluid. In this embodiment, ultrasonic
waves are propagated in a horizontal direction, i.e., a
longitudinal direction of the fluid-storing portion. The
transducer and the fluid-storing portion may be configured
to provide a propagation depth of about 35 mm in the fluid,
so that ultrasonic waves can be propagated as surface waves
through the fluid. Such surface waves are effective in
treating the skin. Additionally, in this embodiment, the
transducer is preferably capable of emitting ultrasonic
waves at a frequency of about 40 kHz to about 1 MHz, more
preferably in the range of about 60 kHz to about 200 kHz.
In order to provide a propagation depth of about 35 mm, a
frequency of about 80 kHz may be effective.
-
In the above, the device may further comprise a
vibration stop layer disposed on a side opposite to the
planar contact surface of the fluid-storing portion.
-
In still another embodiment, the present
invention provides a cosmetic device for a skin comprising:
(a) a fluid-storing portion storing a fluid therein and
constituted by a soft pouched material, on a surface of
which portion a body-contacting planar surface which can
contact the body is formed; (b) at least one ultrasonic
transducer having a given angle of gradient with the body-contacting
surface of said fluid-storing portion, wherein an
oscillating surface of said transducer is disposed facing
said fluid-storing portion; and (c) a surface-wave-generating
material supporting said ultrasonic transducer
and having a contacting surface which contacts the edge of
said fluid-storing portion, wherein said contacting surface
is disposed to cross the normal line from nearly the center
of said ultrasonic transducer. According to the embodiment,
it becomes possible to propagate surface waves to the fluid-storing
portion by vibration of the ultrasonic transducers
via the surface-wave-generating material.
-
In the above, the center portion of the
contacting surface of said surface-wave-generating material
and the normal line from nearly the center of said
ultrasonic transducers may be crossed. According to the
embodiment, it becomes possible to propagate the surface
waves to the fluid-storing portion efficiently.
-
Further, the contacting surface of said
surface-wave-generating material may be a convex planar
surface. According to the embodiment, it becomes possible
to propagate the surface waves to the fluid-storing portion
further efficiently.
-
In an embodiment, the device may further
comprise a supporting material which supports said fluid-storing
portion and said ultrasonic transducer from the
reverse side of said body-contacting surface in said fluid-storing
portion, wherein said supporting material comprises
a fastening material to be used to attach said supporting
material to a part of the body along with said fluid-storing
portion and said ultrasonic transducer. According to the
embodiment, it becomes possible to attach the cosmetic
device around the body.
-
In yet another embodiment, the present
invention provides a cosmetic device for a skin comprising:
(I) a fluid-storing portion storing a fluid therein and
comprising a soft pouched material, on a surface of which
portion a planar contact surface which can contact the body
is formed; and (II) at least one ultrasonic transducer,
which are disposed on a surface on the reverse side of said
contact surface. According to the embodiment, the cosmetic
device is capable of contacting the skin-surface-contact
portion of the cosmetic device with the skin surface without
applying a gel or a cream to the skin surface or the skin-surface-contact
portion of the cosmetic device, and of
improving ultrasonic vibration propagation efficiency.
-
In an embodiment, on a surface of said fluid-storing
portion, multiple ultrasonic transducers may be
disposed. According to the embodiment, ultrasonic vibration
can be propagated to a local surface of the body.
-
The device may further comprise an ultrasonic-transducer
drive mechanism which vibrates said multiple
ultrasonic transducers sequentially. According to the
embodiment, it becomes possible to obtain cosmetic effects
efficiently without giving excessive stimulation to the
skin.
-
In another embodiment, the device may further
comprise partition-walls dividing a fluid stored inside said
fluid-storing portion into multiple compartments. According
to the embodiment, it becomes possible to stabilize a fluid
inside divided surfaces by the partition-walls 14.
-
Multiple pores through which said fluid can
pass may be formed in said partition-walls. According to
the embodiment, it becomes possible to stabilize the fluid
inside the surfaces divided by the partition-walls 14.
-
In the aforesaid devices, they may further
comprise a supporting material which supports said fluid-storing
portion and said ultrasonic transducer from the
reverse side of said contact surface in said fluid-storing
portion and wherein said supporting material comprises a
fastening material which is used for attaching the
supporting material to a part of the body along with said
fluid-storing portion and said ultrasonic transducer.
According to the embodiment, it becomes possible to wrap the
cosmetic device around the body.
-
For purposes of summarizing the invention and
the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects
and advantages of the invention have been described above.
Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all
such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance
with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for
example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that
achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages
as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects
or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
-
Further aspects, features and advantages of
this invention will become apparent from the detailed
description of the preferred embodiments which follow.
Brief Description of the Drawings
-
These and other features of this invention will
now be described with reference to the drawings of preferred
embodiments which are intended to illustrate and not to
limit the invention.
-
Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a cosmetic device
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
-
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view
showing an A-A cross section in Fig. 1.
-
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a
peripheral portion of a surface-wave-generating material 60
in a cosmetic device 1 according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
-
Fig. 4 is a front view showing a position in
which the surface-wave-generating material 60 in the
cosmetic device 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention supports a ultrasonic transducers 20.
-
Fig. 5 is a lateral view showing the ultrasonic
transducers 20 and the surface-wave-generating material 60
in the cosmetic device 1 according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
-
Fig. 6 is a front view showing a cosmetic
device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
-
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view
showing an A-A cross section in Fig. 6.
-
FIG. 8 is a backside view of a cosmetic device
1' according to an embodiment of the present invention with
the belt 50' removed.
-
Fig. 9 is an explanation drawing of the
cosmetic device 1' according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
-
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross sectional view
showing an A-A cross section in Fig. 9.
-
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal cross sectional view
showing the relevant part of the fluid-storing portion 10'
of the cosmetic device 1' according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
-
Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross sectional
showing a B-B cross section in Fig. 9.
-
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a main
electrical configuration of the cosmetic device 1' according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
-
Fig. 14 is a time chart showing timing in which
respective ultrasonic transducers of the cosmetic device 1'
according to an embodiment of the present invention vibrate.
-
Explanation of symbols used is as follows: 1:
Cosmetic device; 10: Fluid-storing portion; 11: Body-contacting
surface; 12: Backside surface; 13: Fluid; 20:
Ultrasonic transducer; 21: Vibration surface; 30: Vibration-prevention
layer; 50: Belt; 51: Ring material; 60: Surface-wave-generating
material; 61: Contact surface; 62:
Supporting surface; 70: Surface wave; 1': Cosmetic device;
10': Fluid-storing portion; 11': Contact area; 12': Surface:
13': Fluid; 14': Partition-wall; 15': Pore; 20': Ultrasonic
transducer; 31': Input portion; 32': Ultrasonic-wave-generating
portion; 33': Controller; 34': Transmitter; 35':
Ring counter; 36': FET switch; 50': Belt; 51': Ring
material.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
-
The present invention is described in detail
with referent to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a plan view of
the cosmetic device 1 according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an A-A cross section of Fig. 1. The present
invention should not be limited to these embodiments.
-
The cosmetic device 1 compresses a fluid-storing
portion 10, four ultrasonic transducers 20a, 20b,
20c and 20d (hereinafter referred to as "ultrasonic
transducers 20" if these are referred to generically) and a
surface-wave-generating material 60.
-
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the ultrasonic
transducers 20 are supported by the surface-wave-generating
material 60. Additionally, the surface-wave-generating
material 60 is disposed so as to contact an edge of the
fluid-storing portion 10. By this construction, when
vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducers 20 is
propagated to the surface-wave-generating material 60 as
described later, the vibration is propagated to the fluid-storing
portion 10 as surface waves.
-
Additionally, the cosmetic device 1 compresses
a rubber vibration-prevention layer 30 along a backside
surface 12 of the fluid-storing portion 10. By this
vibration-prevention layer, vibration of a surface on the
opposite side of the body-contacting surface 11 of the
cosmetic device 1 is prevented, and at the same time, the
body-contacting surface 11 of the cosmetic device 1 can be
vibrated efficiently. For this vibration-prevention layer,
any material which can absorb an impact given by the
vibration can be used in addition to rubber.
-
Additionally, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2,
the cosmetic device 1 compresses the fluid-storing portion
10, ultrasonic transducers 20 and a belt 50 which supports
the surface-wave-generating material 50 from the reverse
side of the body-contacting surface 11 in the fluid-storing
portion 10. At one end of the belt 50, a ring material 51
used for attaching the belt to a part of the body along with
the fluid-storing portion 10, the ultrasonic transducers 20,
and the surface-wave-generating material 60 is provided.
With this ring material 51, after the cosmetic device 1 is
placed with the body-contacting surface 11 of the fluid-storing
portion 10 facing the body, attaching the cosmetic
device 1 around the body becomes possible by winding an end
of the belt 50 around the ring material 51 and fixing it
with a flat fastener not shown.
-
The fluid-storing portion 10 is formed using,
e.g. a soft vinyl chloride resin. The fluid-storing portion
10 comprises a pouched material, on whose surface the body
contact surface 11 and the backside surface 12 are formed.
The body-contacting surface 11 is planate, which allows
contacting the body. Additionally, at the edge of the
backside surface 12, the surface-wave-generating material 60
is installed.
-
Furthermore, inside the fluid-storing portion
10, a fluid 13 is housed. With this construction, it becomes
possible to contact the body-contacting surface 11 with the
body in accordance with a shape of the body. Additionally,
in this specification, gels that sol solidifies to a jelly,
creams, etc. are all referred to as fluids.
-
Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section showing a
peripheral portion of the surface-wave-generating material
60 in the cosmetic device 1 according to the present
invention. Fig. 4 is a front view showing a position in
which the surface-wave-generating material 60 in the
cosmetic device 1 according to the present invention
supports the ultrasonic transducers 20.
-
The ultrasonic transducers 20, as shown in Fig.
3, has a given angle of gradient with the body-contacting
surface 11 of the fluid-storing portion 10 and is supported
by the surface-wave-generating material 60 in a manner that
the sliding surface 21 of the ultrasonic transducers 20 is
positioned facing the fluid-storing portion 10.
Consequently, surface waves 70 propagated to the fluid-storing
portion 10 via the surface-wave-generating material
60 are propagated parallel to the body-contacting surface 11
of the fluid-storing portion 10. Thus, it becomes possible
to propagate the surface waves 70 to the entire surface of
the fluid-storing portion 10.
-
Additionally, as shown in Fig. 4, four
ultrasonic transducers 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d are disposed
side by side and parallel to the contacting surface 61 in
the surface-wave-generating material 50. Consequently, it
becomes possible to give ultrasonic vibration to the entire
surface of the contacting surface 61 in the surface-wave-generating
material 60.
-
Fig. 5 is a lateral view of the ultra
transducers 20 and the surface-wave-generating material 60
in the cosmetic device 1 according to the present invention.
-
The surface-wave-generating material 60, as
shown in Fig. 5, has the contacting surface 61 which
contacts the backside surface 12 of the fluid-storing
portion 10 and a supporting surface 62 which supports the
ultrasonic transducers 20. The contacting surface 61 and the
supporting surface 62 have a given angle. Vibration
generated by the ultrasonic transducers 20 proceeds inside
the surface-wave-generating material 60 as longitudinal
waves. These longitudinal waves change to transversal waves
by colliding with the contacting surface 61, and are
propagated along the fluid-storing portion 10 as surface
waves 70. At this time, the center of the contacting surface
61 and the normal line from nearly the center of the
ultrasonic transducers cross. By this, it becomes possible
to effectively propagate the surface waves 70 to the fluid-storing
portion 10.
-
As mentioned above, on the backside surface 12
of the fluid-storing portion 10, a rubber vibration-prevention
layer 30 is provided. By this vibration-prevention
layer, vibration of the backside surface of the
body-contacting surface 11 of the cosmetic device 1 is
prevented, and at the same time, it becomes possible to
vibrate the body-contacting surface 11 of the cosmetic
device 1 efficiently using the above-mentioned surface waves
70.
-
Furthermore, this contacting surface 61 is
constructed to be a convex planar surface. With this
construction, only vibration generated at the contacting
surface 61 is propagated to the fluid-storing portion 10.
Consequently, it becomes difficult for other surface waves
having different phases to interfere the surface waves
propagated to the fluid-storing portion, enabling the
surface waves 70 to be further efficiently propagated to the
fluid-storing portion 10.
-
As a material for the surface-wave-generating
material 60, acrylic resin is one example; various materials
including metals such as iron and aluminum, which can
propagate ultrasonic vibration, can be used.
-
To obtain a propagation depth of the surface
waves 70 of approximately 35 mm against the fluid-storing
portion 10, which is effective to get cosmetic effects,
setting a frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 20 at
approximately 80 KHz is preferable.
-
The cosmetic device 1 according to the above-mentioned
embodiment compresses the belt 50 which supports
the fluid-storing portion 10 and the ultrasonic transducers
20 from the reverse side of the body-contacting surface 11
in the fluid-storing portion 10. The belt 50 can be omitted.
-
Additionally, the cosmetic device 1 according
to the above-mentioned embodiment compresses four ultrasonic
transducers 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d. The number of the
ultrasonic transducers is not limited to four and can be one
or more.
-
In another embodiment of the present invention,
the transducers can be disposed differently to use vertical
propagation of ultrasonic waves. This type of embodiment is
described in detail with referent to the drawings. Fig. 6
shows a front view of the cosmetic device 1' according to
the present invention. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross
section showing an A-A cross section in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a
backside view of a cosmetic device 1' according to the
present invention with the belt 50' removed.
-
The cosmetic device 1' compresses a fluid-storing
portion 10', ultrasonic transducers 20'. The fluid-storing
portion 10' comprises a pouched material on whose
surface a contact surface is formed. This contact surface is
planate so as to be able to contact the body. The ultrasonic
transducers are disposed on a surface 12' on the reverse
side of the contact surface 11' in the fluid-storing portion
10'.
-
Additionally, the cosmetic device 1' compresses
a belt 50 which supports the fluid-storing portion 10' and
the ultrasonic transducers 20' from the reverse side of the
contact surface 11' in the fluid-storing portion 10'. At one
end of the belt 50', a planar fastener 52' used for
attaching the belt 50' to a part of the body along with the
fluid-storing portion 10' and the ultrasonic transducers 20'
is provided. With this fastener provided, after the cosmetic
device 1 is placed with the contact surface 11' of the
fluid-storing portion 10' facing the body, the cosmetic
device 1' can be attached around the body by fixing the end
of the belt 50' using the planar fastener 52'.
-
The fluid-storing portion 10' is formed using,
e.g. a soft vinyl chloride resin. Inside the fluid-storing
portion 10', a fluid 13' is housed. This construction
enables the contact surface 11' to contact a part of the
body in accordance with a body shape. Additionally, in this
specification, high-viscosity liquids, semifluids, or gels
that sol solidifies to a jelly, creams and regular liquids
are all referred to as fluids.
-
The cosmetic device 1 according to the above-mentioned
second embodiment comprises the belt 50' which
supports the fluid-storing portion 10' and the ultrasonic
transducers 20' from the reverse side of the body contact
are 11' in the fluid-storing portion 10'. The belt 50' can
be omitted.
-
Another embodiment of the present invention is
described with referent to the drawings. Fig. 9 is an
explanation drawing of the cosmetic device 1' according to
the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a
longitudinal cross section showing an A-A cross section in
Fig. 9.
-
The cosmetic device 1' compresses a fluid-storing
portion 10', ten ultrasonic transducers 20'a, 20'b,
20'c, 20'd, 20'e, 20'f, 20'h, 20'i and 20'j (hereinafter
referred to as "ultrasonic transducers 20'" if these are
referred to generically). The fluid-storing portion 10'
comprises a pouched material on whose surface a contact
surface which can contact the body is formed. This contact
surface is planate so as to be able to contact the body. The
ultrasonic transducers 20' are disposed on the surface 12'
on the reverse side of the contact surface 11' in the fluid-storing
portion 10'.
-
Additionally, the cosmetic device 1' compresses
a belt 50' which supports the fluid-storing portion 10' and
ultrasonic transducers 20' from the reverse side of the body
contact surface 11' in the fluid-storing portion 10'. At one
end of the belt 50', a ring material 51' used for attaching
the belt 50' to a part of the body along with the fluid-storing
portion 10' and the ultrasonic transducers 20' is
provided. With this ring material 51' provided, after the
cosmetic device 1' is placed with the contact surface 11' of
the fluid-storing portion 10' facing the body, attaching the
cosmetic device 1' around the body becomes possible by
winding an end portion of the belt 50' around the ring
material 51' and fixing it by a flat fastener not shown.
-
The fluid-storing portion 10' is formed using,
e.g. a soft vinyl chloride resin. Inside the fluid-storing
portion 10', a fluid 13' is housed. This construction
enables the contact surface 11' to contact a part of the
body in accordance with a body shape.
-
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal cross section showing
the relevant part of the fluid-storing portion 10' of the
cosmetic device 1' according to the third embodiment of the
present invention. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross section
showing a B-B cross section in Fig. 9.
-
As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the fluid-storing
portion 10' compresses partition-walls 14' dividing
a fluid housed inside the fluid-storing portion into five
surfaces. In respective surfaces divided by the partition-walls
14', two ultrasonic transducers each are arranged.
With this construction, it becomes possible to stabilize the
fluid housed inside the surfaces divided by the partition-walls
14'.
-
Additionally, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12,
multiple pores 15' through which the fluid 13' can pass are
formed in the partition-walls 14'. With this construction,
it becomes possible that the fluid 13' moves inside the
fluid-storing portion according to shape change in the
cosmetic device 1' due to concavity and convexity of the
body and the cosmetic device 1' is contacted with the body.
-
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a main
electrical configuration of the cosmetic device 1' according
to the third embodiment of the present invention.
-
The cosmetic device 1 compresses an ultrasonic-wave-generating
portion 32' which generates ultrasonic
signals, and an input portion 31' connected to a controller
33' which functions as a control unit for the ultrasonic-wave-generating
portion 32'.
-
Additionally, this cosmetic device 1 compresses
a FET switch 36' and a transmitter 34' which feeds clock
signals of approximately 5 Hz indicating a switching timing
to a ring counter 35' used for switching the FET switch 36'.
-
The ultrasonic-wave-generating portion 32'
generates two types of ultrasonic signals with 3 MHz
frequency and 2 MHz frequency. Ultrasonic waves with 3 MHz
ultrasonic frequency reaches the FET switch 36' via wiring
43' and a switch 38', and is fed to five ultrasonic
transducers 20'a, 20'c, 20'e, 20'g and 20'i via wiring 41
from the FET switch 36'. Ultrasonic waves with 2 MHz
ultrasonic frequency reaches the FET switch 36' via wiring
45' and a switch 49', and is fed to five ultrasonic
transducers 20'b, 20'd, 20'f, 20'h and 20'j via the wiring
41' from the FET switch 36'.
-
In the cosmetic device 1' having the electrical
configuration shown in Fig. 13, the ultrasonic-wave-generating
portion 32' and the ultrasonic transducers 20'
are connected sequentially by the action of the ring counter
35' and the FET switch 36' in a timely manner described
later and each of ultrasonic transducers 20' vibrates
sequentially. At this time, the switch 38' is closed and the
switch 39' is opened when the ultrasonic-wave-generating
portion 32' and the ultrasonic transducers 20'a, 20'c, 20'e,
20'g and 20'i are connected. When the ultrasonic-wave-generating
portion 32' and the ultrasonic transducers 20'b,
20'd, 20'f, 20'h and 20'j are connected, the switch 39' is
closed and the switch 38' is opened.
-
Fig. 14 is a time chart showing timing
according to which respective ultrasonic transducers of the
cosmetic device 1' according to the third embodiment of the
present invention vibrate.
-
As shown in Fig. 14, the ultrasonic transducer
20'a first vibrates for time t, which is 0.4 seconds when a
frequency of a clock signal given to the ring counter 35'
from the transmitter 34' is 2.5 Hz. As soon as the vibration
of the ultrasonic transducer 20'a stops, the ultrasonic
transducer 20'b vibrates. By repeating this sequence, 10
ultrasonic transducers 20'a, 20'b, 20'c, 20'd, 20'e, 20'f,
20'h, 20'i and 20'j vibrate in this order.
-
Consequently, even in a configuration in which
this cosmetic device contacts the skin at all times,
excessive stimulation is not applied to the skin.
-
In the above-mentioned embodiment, ultrasonic
vibration is given in the order of the ultrasonic transducer
20'a, the ultrasonic transducer 20'b, the ultrasonic
transducer 20'c, the ultrasonic transducer 20'd, the
ultrasonic transducer 20'e, the ultrasonic transducer 20'f,
the ultrasonic transducer 20'g, the ultrasonic transducer
20'h, the ultrasonic transducer 20'i, and the ultrasonic
transducer 20'j. Ultrasonic vibration can be given in the
order of the ultrasonic transducer 20'a, the ultrasonic
transducer 20'b, the ultrasonic transducer 20'd, the
ultrasonic transducer 20'f, the ultrasonic transducer 20'h,
the ultrasonic transducer 20'j, the ultrasonic transducer
20'i, the ultrasonic transducer 20'g, the ultrasonic
transducer 20'e, and the ultrasonic transducer 20'c.
-
Additionally, ultrasonic vibration is given to
ten ultrasonic transducers 20'a, 20'b, 20'c, 20'd, 20'e,
20'f, 20'h, 20'i and 20'j randomly using a random number,
etc.
-
Furthermore, although in the above-mentioned
embodiment, a configuration in which ultrasonic vibration is
given to a single ultrasonic transducer of ten ultrasonic
transducers 20'a, 20'b, 20'c, 20'd, 20'e, 20'f, 20'h, 20'i
and 20'j sequentially is used, a configuration in which
ultrasonic vibration can be given to multiple ultrasonic
transducers simultaneously can also be used. For example,
ultrasonic vibration is given first to the ultrasonic
transducer 20'a, the ultrasonic transducer 20'b, and the
ultrasonic transducer 20'c for time t; subsequently to the
ultrasonic transducer 20'g, the ultrasonic transducer 20'h,
and the ultrasonic transducer 20'i for time t; then to the
ultrasonic transducer 20'j, the ultrasonic transducer 20'a,
and the ultrasonic transducer 20'b; thereafter, a sequence
of giving ultrasonic vibration to three ultrasonic
transducers at a time is repeated.
