FR3019986A1 - DEVICE FOR MASSAGE AND / OR PRODUCT APPLICATION, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises: - a support (12); - an application assembly (14) carried by the support (12), mounted movably in translation relative to the support (12) along a translation axis (B-B '); - A cam assembly (62) having at least one rotary cam along an axis of rotation (A-A ') transverse to the translation axis (B-B'). The rotary cam is adapted to cooperate with the application assembly (14) to generate an alternating movement of the application assembly (14) along the translation axis (B-B '). It has an unbalance around the axis of rotation (A-A '). The cam assembly (62) has at least one unbalance reducing member (66) of the rotating cam, rotatable in conjunction with the rotating cam.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for massaging and / or applying a product, comprising: a support; - An application assembly, intended to come into contact with a body surface, the application assembly being carried by the support and being movably mounted in translation relative to the support along a translation axis; a cam assembly comprising at least one rotating cam along an axis of rotation transverse to the axis of translation, the rotary cam being adapted to cooperate with the application assembly to generate an alternating movement of the assembly of application along the axis of translation, the rotary cam having an unbalance around the axis of rotation. Such a device is intended in particular to perform a massage and / or application of cosmetic product on a body surface of a user, in particular on the skin and / or keratinous fibers of a user. The cosmetic product, when it is used, is for example a skincare or makeup product for the body surface. It is in particular in the form of a cream, an emulsion, a liquid, and / or a solid. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "cosmetic product" more generally means a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products. A device of the above-mentioned type is known in particular from KR 101149347 and from KR 201000660730. In this device, an application element is moved reciprocating back and forth at a high frequency, transversely to a support intended to be grasped by the user's hand. To generate the reciprocating motion, the device comprises a motor driving a rotary shaft on which is mounted an elongated cam. The cam cooperates with a contact surface integral with the applicator element. A spring is interposed between the support and the application member to urge the applicator member to a retracted position in the holder. As it rotates, the cam pushes the applicator member to an extended position and releases it, which causes the reciprocating motion. Such a mechanism is not entirely satisfactory. Due to its elongated shape, the cam has mechanical unbalance around the axis of rotation. The unbalance generates unwanted vibrations of the device which can be uncomfortable or even annoying for the user.

An object of the invention is to provide a device for massage and / or application of product that generates a very effective massage and / or application, while being comfortable for use by the user. To this end, the invention relates to a device of the aforementioned type, wherein the cam assembly comprises at least one unbalance reducing member of the rotary cam, rotatable in conjunction with the rotary cam. The device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: the unbalance reducing element is formed by at least one hole formed in the rotating cam. - The hole passes through the rotary cam, preferably parallel to its axis of rotation. - The rotary cam has an axis of elongation transverse to the axis of rotation, the hole being traversed by the axis of elongation. - The unbalance reducing element comprises at least one mass, integral in rotation with the rotary cam. the mass is of revolution around the axis of rotation. the mass is a cylinder centered on the axis of rotation. the mass is arranged in parallel with the rotating cam. - the mass is pressed against the rotating cam. - The unbalance reduction element comprises two masses integral in rotation of the rotary cam, the two masses being disposed on either side of the rotary cam along the axis of rotation. the rotary cam has an elongate shape, with a first end region of radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of a second end region. - The application assembly comprises a base having a surface for cooperation with the rotary cam, preferably defined in a receiving housing. - The device comprises a resilient biasing member of the application assembly to a retracted position relative to the support, engaged around a rod of the application assembly, the rod comprising at least one guide rib of the elastic biasing member. the center of gravity of the cam assembly is located at a distance less than 2 mm from the axis of rotation.

The subject of the invention is also a method of massaging and / or applying a product, comprising: providing a device as defined above; - Rotational drive of the rotary cam along an axis of rotation transverse to the translation axis, the rotary cam having an unbalance around the axis of rotation; - Cooperation of the rotating cam with the application assembly to generate an alternating movement of the application assembly along the axis of translation, - bringing the application assembly into contact with a body surface ; wherein the method comprises jointly rotating the unbalance reducing member with the rotating cam. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, taken in section following a median axial plane of a first massage device and / or product application according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of a rod of an application assembly of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an end view of a cam assembly of the device of FIG. 1, in an extended position of the application assembly; - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, in a retracted position of the application assembly; FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of the cam assembly of a second device for massaging and / or applying a product according to the invention; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of the cam assembly of the second device; Figure 7 is a side view of the cam assembly shown in Figure 5; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cam assembly of a third device for massaging and / or applying a product according to the invention; FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of the cam assembly shown in FIG. 8. A first device 10 for massaging and / or applying a product is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. The device 10 is intended in particular to perform a massage and / or application of cosmetic product on a body surface of a user, in particular on the skin and / or keratin fibers of a user.

The cosmetic product, when it is used, is for example a skincare or makeup product for the body surface. It is in particular in the form of a cream, an emulsion, a liquid, and / or a solid. With reference to FIG. 1, the device 10 comprises a support 12, intended to be grasped by the user, and an application assembly 14 intended to come into contact with the body surface, movable relative to the support 12 following a reciprocating back and forth movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The device 10 further comprises a member 16 for resilient biasing of the application assembly 14 towards one of the retracted position of the deployed position, a mechanism 18 for moving the application assembly 14, provided with a rotary cam 31, adapted to generate the reciprocating movement, and an activation assembly 20 of the mechanism 18. In this example, the support 12 is formed by a hollow housing, adapted to be grasped by a hand of the user. The support 12 extends here along a support axis A-A '.

The support 12 comprises an outer wall 22 delimiting an interior volume 24 for receiving the resilient biasing member 16, the movement mechanism 18, and the activation assembly 20. The outer wall 22 comprises a support region 26 of the application assembly 14 delimiting a through opening 28 for the circulation of the application assembly 14. In this example, the circulation opening 28 opens transversely with respect to the support axis A-A ' . The application assembly 14 is intended to come into contact with the body surface to perform the massage and / or the product application.

Referring to Figure 2, the application assembly 14 comprises a base 30 adapted to cooperate with the rotary cam 31 of the displacement mechanism 18, a rod 32 engaged through the circulation opening 28, and an applicator 34 disposed at the free end of the rod 32, outside the support 12. The base 30 and the rod 32 extend along an axis BB 'of translation of the application assembly 14, transverse to the the axis A-A '. The base 30 defines a housing 36 for receiving the cam 31 delimited by a surface 38 for cooperation with the cam 31. In this example, the housing 36 has a notch shape opening towards the axis A-A '. The cooperation surface 38 extends transversely with respect to the translation axis B-B 'towards the axis A-A', advantageously being delimited by a U-shaped wall 40.

The rod 32 projects along the axis BB 'with respect to the base 30. The rod 32 delimits with the base 30 a peripheral shoulder forming a seat 42 for supporting the resilient biasing member 16. The rod 32 comprises an elongate body 44 of axis B-B ', and advantageously a plurality of axial ribs 46 of wedging of the elastic biasing member 16. The rod 32 further comprises here at least one member 48 for fixing the applicator 36. The ribs 46 protrude radially from the elongate body 44. They are distributed at the periphery of the elongated body 44. They are arranged in the internal volume 24. The fastener 48 is for example intended to snap or screw the applicator 34 at the free end of the rod 32. It is disposed outside the support 12. The applicator 34 is mounted on the rod 32. It has an outer surface 50 of contact with the body surface.

The applicator 34 is for example a sponge. In this example, the outer surface 50 extends substantially transversely to the translation axis B-B '. It has an area greater than the area of the maximum cross section of the rod 32, taken perpendicular to the axis B-B '. As indicated above, the application assembly 14 is mounted to move in translation along the axis BB 'in a reciprocating movement, between a position retracted relative to the support 12 and an extended position with respect to the support 12. The race in translation of the application assembly 14 along the axis BB 'is for example less than 10 mm, in particular less than 4 mm and is advantageously between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.

In the retracted position, the rod length 32 inserted in the interior volume 24 is maximum. The cooperation surface 38 is relatively closer to the axis of rotation AA 'of the rotary cam 31, as shown in FIG. 4. On the other hand, in the extended position, the rod length 32 inserted into the interior volume 24 is minimal. The cooperation surface 38 is relatively more distant from the axis of rotation A-A 'of the rotary cam 31, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The elastic biasing member 16 is here formed by a helical spring. It is interposed between the support seat 42 and the mounting region 26 of the outer wall 22, being held in compression. In this example, the resilient biasing member 16 permanently urges the rod 32 to its retracted position.

With reference to FIG. 1, the displacement mechanism 18 comprises a rotary shaft 60, a cam assembly 62 comprising the rotary cam 31, mounted integral with the rotary shaft 60, and a motor 64 for driving rotation of the rotary shaft 60. rotary shaft 60 and together with the cam assembly 62.

The displacement mechanism 18 further comprises a power source 65 of the motor 64. The rotary shaft 60 extends along an axis of rotation A-A 'transverse to the translation axis B-B'. In this example, the axis of rotation A-A 'is coaxial or substantially parallel to the axis A-A' of the support 12, although other orientations of the axis of rotation are possible. According to the invention, the cam assembly 32 comprises, in addition to the rotary cam 31, at least one unbalance reducing member 66 of the rotary cam 31, jointly movable in rotation about the axis AA 'with the rotary cam 31 As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rotary cam 31 has an elongated cross-section along an extension axis C-C '. The rotary cam 31 is off-center with respect to its axis of rotation A-A '. Its geometric center of gravity, taken from the full area delimited by the outer contour of its section perpendicular to the axis A-A ', is located away from the axis A-A'. The rotary cam 31 thus has an unbalance in rotation around the axis A-A '.

In this example, the rotary cam 31 has a base region 68 located about the axis AA 'and an elongated region 70, here in point form, off-center with respect to the base region 68. The minimum radius of curvature of the contour of the rotary cam 31 in the base region 68 is greater than the minimum radius of curvature of the contour of the rotary cam 31 in the elongated region 70. The rotary cam 31 delimits a central lumen 72 for mounting the rotary shaft 60, axis A-A '. The rotary cam 31 is rotated about the axis AA 'by the rotary shaft 60. Its periphery cooperates with the cooperation surface 38 of the application assembly 14 during the rotation, to successively place the region of rotation. base 68, then the elongate region 70 in contact with the engagement surface 38 and thereby pass the application assembly 14 from the retracted position to the deployed position. In the first device 10 according to the invention, the unbalance reduction element 66 is formed by at least one hole 74 formed in the mass of the rotary cam 31, to reduce the unbalance that the rotary cam 31 would have if the mass were full.

The hole 74 is eccentric with respect to the axis A-A '. It is here completely disjoint from the central lumen 72 for mounting the rotary shaft 60. The hole 74 is traversed by the axis C-C 'of elongation. In this example, the hole 74 is through. It opens axially on either side of the rotary cam 31. It advantageously extends parallel to the axis A-A '. It has a closed outline. It is filled with gas. The maximum area of the hole 74, taken in projection in a plane perpendicular to the axis A-A ', is for example less than 25% of the maximum area of the rotary cam 31, taken in the same plane.

The drive motor 64 is able to rotate the rotary shaft 60 and the rotary cam 31 about the axis A-A ', with a rotation frequency greater than 30 Hz, and in particular between 30 Hz, and 200 Hz. It is adapted to be powered by the source 65, on command of the activation assembly 20.

The source 65 is for example intended to electrically power the motor 34. It is formed by at least one battery and / or a mains connection assembly. The activation assembly 20 comprises a control unit 80 and at least one activation button 82, able to activate the control unit 80 to electrically power the motor 34 from the power source 65. Advantageously, the control unit 80 is able to adjust the rotation frequency of the rotary shaft 64 and the rotary cam 31, and consequently the frequency of the reciprocating movement of the application assembly 14. The operation of the device 10 according to the invention will now be described.

Initially, the user grasps the support 12 and presses the button 82 to activate the drive motor 64. Advantageously, he sets the rotary drive frequency of the rotary shaft 60. The control unit 80 electrically supplies the drive. drive motor 34 using the source 65, which causes the rotary shaft 60 to rotate about the axis A-A '.

The rotary cam 31 is also rotated in conjunction with the rotary shaft 60. For each 360 ° rotation of the cam 31 about the axis A-A ', the base region 68, then the elongate region 70 enter successively. in contact with the cooperation surface 38 of the application assembly 14.

When the elongated region 70 is in contact with the surface 38, the cam 31 pushes the base 30, the rod 32 and the applicator 34 outwards, against the elastic bias generated by the member 16, causing a translation of the application assembly 14 along the axis B-B ', away from the axis AA' of rotation. The application assembly 14 then reaches its deployed position. When the base region 68 comes into contact with the surface 38, the elastic biasing member 16 pushes the base 30, the rod 32 and the applicator 34 inward, causing translation of the application assembly 14 along the axis B-B 'towards the axis of rotation A-A'. The application assembly 14 then reaches its retracted position. Although the rotary cam 31 is eccentric to ensure proper travel of the application assembly 14, the presence of the unbalance reducing member 66 significantly limits the unbalance of the cam 31, reducing or even eliminating the resulting tactile sensation. of this unbalance for the user. The device 10 is very efficient, while being particularly comfortable to use. The cam assembly 62 of a second device 10 for massaging and / or applying product is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7. In this example, the unbalance reduction element 66 comprises a mass 90 for compensation of the unbalanced, movable together with the rotary cam 31. As illustrated in Figure 7, the mass 90 is connected in parallel with the rotary cam 31 on the rotary shaft 60, being axially offset along the axis AA 'of rotation relative to the rotary cam 31. Advantageously, the rotary cam 31 is pressed against the mass 90. In this example, the mass 90 is centered on the axis AA 'of rotation of the rotary cam 31. The mass 90 is for example formed by a cylinder axis A-A '. In projection in a plane perpendicular to the axis A-A ', more than 90% and especially 100% of the area delimited by the outer contour of the cam 31, is contained in the area delimited by the outer contour of the mass 90. The mass 90 defines an internal lumen 92 receiving the shaft 60. In this example, the mass 90 is full, with the exception of the light 92. Similarly, the rotary cam 31 is full, except of the central light 72.

The mass 90 here has a volume greater than that of the rotary cam 31. The operation of the second device 10 for massage and / or product application is similar to that of the first device 10. The cam assembly 62 of a third device 10 for massage and / or application of product is illustrated in Figures 8 to 9. Unlike the cam assembly 62 of the second device 10, the unbalance reduction member 66 further comprises a mass additional, 94 disposed opposite the mass 90 relative to the rotary cam 31. The rotary cam 31 is thus sandwiched between the mass 90 and the additional mass 94. The additional mass 94 advantageously has a structure similar to that of mass 90. It is pressed against the rotary cam 31 being axially offset with respect to this cam 31 along the axis A-A '. Furthermore, the base 30 of the application assembly 14 is formed by a fork 96 defining the cooperation surface 38 and interposed between the mass 90 and the additional mass 94. The operation of the third device 10 of massage and / or d The application of product is similar to that of the first device 10. The presence of the unbalance reducing member 66 formed by a hole 74 or by at least one mass 90, 94 brings the center of gravity closer to the cam assembly 62. its axis of rotation A-A '. Thus, the center of gravity of the cam assembly 62 is preferably located at a distance less than 2 mm from the axis of rotation A-A ', advantageously at a distance less than 1 mm from the axis of rotation A. -A ', even on the axis of rotation A-A'.20

Claims (15)

CLAIMS1.- A device (10) for massaging and / or applying a product, comprising: - a support (12); - an application assembly (14) intended to come into contact with a body surface, the application assembly (14) being carried by the support (12) and being mounted mobile in translation relative to the support (12) along a translation axis (B-B '); a cam assembly (62) comprising at least one rotary cam (31) along an axis of rotation (A-A ') transverse to the translation axis (B-B'), the rotary cam (31) being adapted to cooperate with the application assembly (14) to generate reciprocating movement of the application assembly (14) along the translation axis (B-B '), the rotary cam (31) having an unbalance about the axis of rotation (A-A '); wherein the cam assembly (62) has at least one unbalance reducing member (66) of the rotatable cam (31) rotatable with the rotatable cam (31). 2. - Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the unbalance reducing member (66) is formed by at least one hole (74) formed in the rotary cam (31). 3. - Device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the hole (74) through the rotary cam (31), preferably parallel to its axis of rotation (A-A '). 4. - Device (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the rotary cam (31) has an axis of elongation (C-C ') transverse to the axis of rotation (A-A). '), the hole (74) being crossed by the axis of elongation (C-C'). 5. - Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unbalance reducing element (66) comprises at least one mass (90; 94), integral in rotation with the rotary cam (31). 6. - Device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the mass (90; 94) is of revolution about the axis of rotation (A-A '). 7. - Device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the mass (90; 94) is a cylinder centered on the axis of rotation (A-A '). 8. - Device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the mass (90; 94) is disposed in parallel with the rotary cam (31). 9. - Device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the mass (90; 94) is pressed against the rotary cam (31). 10. - Device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the unbalance reducing element (66) comprises two masses (90; 94) integral with the rotation of the cam (31), both masses (90; 94) being disposed on either side of the rotary cam (31) along the axis of rotation (A-A '). 11. - Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary cam (31) has an elongate shape, with a first end region (68) of radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature. a second end region (70). 12. - Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application assembly (14) comprises a base (30) having a cooperation surface (38) with the rotary cam (31), advantageously delimited in a reception accommodation. 13. - Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a resilient biasing member (16) of the application assembly (14) to a retracted position relative to the support (12) engaged around a rod (32) of the application assembly (14), the rod (32) having at least one rib (46) for guiding the resilient biasing member (16). 14. - Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the center of gravity of the cam assembly (62) is located at a distance of less than 2 mm from the axis of rotation (A-A). '). 15. - A method of massage and / or application of cosmetic product, comprising: - providing a device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; driving in rotation of the rotary cam (31) along an axis of rotation (A - A ') transverse to the translation axis (B-B'), the rotary cam (31) having an unbalance around the rotation axis (A-A '); - cooperating the rotary cam (31) with the application assembly (14) to generate reciprocating movement of the application assembly (14) along the translation axis (B-131, - setting contact of the application assembly (14), with a body surface; wherein the method comprises jointly rotating the unbalance reducing member (66) with the rotating cam (31).