EP0696187A1

EP0696187A1 - Massage device

Info

Publication number: EP0696187A1
Application number: EP94916166A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Lenke
Original assignee: D+P COSMETICS AG
Current assignee: D+P COSMETICS AG
Priority date: 1993-04-30
Filing date: 1994-04-28
Publication date: 1996-02-14
Also published as: AU6794494A; WO1994024980A1; DE4314362A1

Abstract

A massage device with a handle (4) and a working part (6) rotatably mounted on the handle (4) is distinghuished by suction cups (16) arranged on the surfaces of the working part (6). The working part (6) is especially designed in the form of a cylinder or roller, with the suction cups (16) projecting essentially radially to the rotational axis of the working part (6) from its circumferential surface (12). A preferred embodiment provides in addition to the suction cups, nobby projections (18) that project essentially radially to the rotational axis of the working part (6) from its circumferential surface. The massage device (2) as per the invention is particularly well suited for cellulite treatment and lymph drainage.

Description

Massager

The invention relates to a massage device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Massage devices of this type are known in a large number of configurations and serve, for example, as so-called massage and cosmetic rollers. The massager is held on a grip part and a work part rotatably supported on the grip part is guided with rolling movements over the body part to be massaged or treated. Such massage devices are used for the treatment of weak connective tissue structures or cellulite, for lymphatic drainage, for incorporating ointment or paste-like care or healing preparations, for the treatment of tension, sore muscles or sciatica.

The object of the present invention is to design a massage device according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the above-mentioned range of applications can be expanded with it and in particular the massage or therapy effects which can be achieved can be improved.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1.

The fact that suction cups are arranged on the surface of the working part means that when the working part rolls off the skin surface of the body part in question, depending on the unrolling speed, the suction cups are placed on the skin more or less quickly, and then firmly sucked there , Lifting of the suctioned skin area and finally, in the course of the further rolling movement, detaching or tearing off the suction contact between the suction cup and the surface of the skin. The skin and also the underlying tissue layers on the treated part of the body are thus treated in the manner of a plucked massage, that is to say a type of massage which has proven to be therapeutically very effective, in particular in the case of cellulite or orange peel or in the case of connective tissue weaknesses. At the same time, the short-term negative pressure under the suction cups removes dead or exfoliating skin particles from the skin surface, so that a so-called peeling effect occurs. Finally, due to the short-term vacuum effect on the skin areas under the suction cups, there is a gentle but intensive stimulation of the skin's blood circulation.

Overall, the skin tone can be considerably improved with the massage device according to the invention.

Advantageous developments of the invention result from the subclaims.

The working part is preferably cylindrical or cylindrical, the suction cups projecting essentially radially to the axis of rotation of the working part from its peripheral surface. The cylindrical or roller-shaped design of the working part also allows large areas of the body, for example the back or the thighs, to be treated quickly and effectively. Furthermore, the direction of rotation of the working part is clearly defined by the direction of movement of the handle part by the cylinder or roller shape, so that the working part can be moved specifically on the relevant part of the body.

Are the suction cups arranged in rows running essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part? net, when the working part is moved over the relevant skin area through the suction cups arranged in rows, the skin areas underneath and the tissue layers lying underneath these skin areas are raised essentially in a wave or strip shape. This improves the effect of lymphatic drainage.

In addition to the suction cups, nub-like projections are preferably provided, projecting essentially radially to the axis of rotation of the work part from its peripheral surface. In addition to the plucking massage created by the suction cups, the nub-like projections can then be used to apply a pressure massage to the relevant skin area or the tissue underneath. This combined suction and pressure assay intensifies lymphatic drainage in particular, but also the treatment of connective tissue weaknesses. In addition, the nub-like projections allow ointment- or pasty-shaped cosmetic or medicinal preparations to be worked in or massaged more intensively into the skin or the underlying tissue.

The suction cups preferably protrude radially beyond the nub-like projections, so that a safe suction system of the suction cups with the areas of skin underneath is possible.

The arrangement of the suction cups and the knob-like projections on the peripheral surface of the working part can be done in a variety of ways. For example, the knob-like projections can be arranged on the working part in rows running essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part. Similar to the row-like arrangement of the suction cups, this results in a row-like or trough-shaped indentation of the treated skin area or the underlying tissue. In lymphatic drainage in particular, such Moving troughs of the massager are particularly preferred, since this considerably improves the spreading effect in lymphatic drainage.

If the rows of the knob-like projections and suction cups running parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the working part, a rolling suction movement of the working part on the surface of the skin results in a continuous, row or line-shaped suction massage with an increase in the Tissue immediately followed by a pressure massage with an indentation of the tissue, also in a row or line form. The spreading effect in lymphatic drainage or the effective treatment of connective tissue weaknesses is therefore very intensive.

The alternatingly arranged individual knob-like projections and the individual suction cups are preferably arranged lying on circumferential circles of the working part. The knob-like projections and the suction cups can each lie on common circumferential circles, or the knob-like projections and the suction cups each lie on their own circumferential circles. Depending on the arrangement of the knob-like projections and suction cups to each other, different massage or therapy effects can be achieved.

The respective circumferential circles are preferably equally spaced from one another, so that a uniform massage effect can be achieved over the entire width of the working part.

The suction cups and nub-like projections are preferably made of a soft, elastic material, in particular silicone rubber. On the one hand, this results in satisfactory suction effects of the suction cups and other on the one hand, nub-like projections made of a soft, elastic material have a massage effect when they act on the skin, similar to the fingertip massage which is particularly effective in the case of connective tissue weaknesses. Furthermore, silicone rubber in particular is hygienic, since residues such as cosmetic agents, massage oils or the like can be washed off without problems.

The soft, elastic material of at least the suction cups has a Shore hardness of approximately 20 to 80, in particular approximately 50. The action of the suction cups on the skin surface or on the underlying tissue layers can be varied by adjusting the Shore hardness. The harder the material of the suction cups is adjusted, the stronger the suction effect acting on the skin area and vice versa.

The suction cups preferably have a wall thickness of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 mm, in particular approximately 0.2 to 0.3 mm. With easy deformability in the sense of conforming to or sucking onto the skin surface, with such a wall thickness, the suction cups at the same time have sufficient resistance to the forces occurring during the detaching or tearing process from the sucked-in skin.

The suction bells, that is to say the active regions of the suction cups, preferably have an opening diameter of approximately 3 to 20 mm, in particular approximately 8 to 15 mm. Opening diameters of less than 3 mm appear to be less practical due to the minimal or no longer occurring suction effect and opening diameters of more than 20 mm do not appear to be appropriate because the diameter of the working part then no longer applies in practice advantageous amount must be increased in order to be able to arrange the suction cups with such a large diameter on the peripheral surface of the working part. The axis of rotation of the working part can either run transversely to the longitudinal axis of the handle part or also essentially parallel to this. With an axis of rotation of the working part that runs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the handle part, large areas of skin or tissue in particular, for example the back, the abdominal wall or the thighs, can be treated quickly and specifically. With an axis of rotation of the working part that runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle part, skin areas in particular on the face, neck and shoulder can be treated in an ergonomic manner.

The working part is removably mounted on the handle part, which has the advantage that differently designed working parts can be used on one and the same handle part. Worn or damaged work parts can also be replaced quickly and easily.

In some cases or in some therapeutic applications, it may be advantageous to apply an additional vacuum to the suction cups from the interior of the working part. In particular, if the vacuum in the suction cups that can be achieved by the mere rolling movement of the working part no longer appears sufficient for the respective therapeutic purpose, the additional application of vacuum to the interior of the suction cup can be advantageous.

In this case, the additional vacuum is preferably generated by an external suction pump which can be connected to the handle part, a vacuum connection being provided from the handle part to the working part and from there to the suction cups. A water jet pump can be used as an external suction pump, for example, since it does not electrical voltage and the associated risks in damp rooms, in particular bathrooms, a sufficiently high additional vacuum can be generated. The vacuum connection from the handle part to the work part and from there to the suction cups results in a uniform distribution of the negative pressure generated by the external suction pump to the individual suction cups.

Further details, aspects and advantages of the present invention result from the following description with reference to the drawing.

It shows:

Fig. 1 schematically simplified a plan view of an embodiment of the massage device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the massage device of Fig. 1;

3 shows an enlarged illustration of the action of a suction cup on the area of skin underneath or the tissue lying under the area of skin;

Fig. 4 is a Fig. 3 corresponding representation of the

Action of a knob-like protrusion on the area of skin underneath or on the area below the area of skin

Tissue;

5A to 5D schematically simplified developments of

Working part of the massage device according to the invention with exemplary different arrangement options for the suction cups and the knob-like projections;

6 shows a sectional side view through another embodiment of the massage device according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 3 of a suction cup in the embodiment of FIG. 6.

A massager designated overall by 2 in the drawing essentially has a handle part 4 and a working part 6 according to FIG. 1. Here, the working part 6 is rotatably mounted on the handle part 4 about an axis shown in broken lines in FIG. 1.

The working part 6 is cylindrical or roller-shaped with two opposite end faces 8 and 10, in the area of which the bearing on the handle part 4 takes place, and a peripheral surface 12. Massage elements 14 are on the peripheral surface 12 of the working part 6 projecting essentially radially to the axis of rotation of the working part 6 from its peripheral surface 12. In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown, the massage elements comprise a plurality of suction cups 16 and a plurality of nub-like projections 18.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show schematically simplified developments of the peripheral surface 12 of the working part 6 with different possibilities for the arrangement or distribution of the suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 5A, both the suction cups 16 and the knob-like projections 18 are arranged in rows on the working part 6, essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part 6. Seen in the circumferential or rotational direction of the working part 6, this results in an alternating arrangement of rows consisting of suction cups 16 and rows consisting of knob-like projections 18. The individual suction cups 16 or individual knob-like projections 18 are likewise located in the circumferential or rotational direction of the working part 6 seen on common circumferential circles, which are illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D with dash-dotted lines.

The circumferential circles are in this case equidistant from one another, so that the distances between the suction cups 16 with one another in the respective rows and the distances between the knob-like projections 18 with one another in the respective rows are the same. In this way, a massage effect which is essentially uniformly distributed over the entire working width of the working part 6 can be achieved.

5B, the suction cups 16 and the knob-like projections 18 are seen both in the circumferential or rotational direction of the working part 6, and alternately arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part 6. As in the embodiment according to FIG. 5A, the suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 18 are again on common circumferential circles.

5C corresponds to that of FIG. 5A insofar as here the suction cups 16 and the knob-like projections 18 are each arranged in rows essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part. The difference to 5A lies in the fact that, seen in the circumferential direction of the working part 6, the suction cups 16 lie on their own circumferential circles and the knob-like projections 18 also lie on their own circumferential circles. Here, the circumferential circles are half the distance from one another compared to the arrangement option according to FIG. 5A. The peripheral surface of the working part 6 is consequently denser with suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 18.

The arrangement of the suction cups 16 and knob-like projections 18 according to FIG. 5D corresponds to the arrangement possibility of FIG. 5B in that the suction cups 16 and knob-like projections 18 are seen both parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part 6, as seen in the circumferential direction of the working part 6 are arranged alternately. Seen in the circumferential direction of the working part 6, the suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 18 are thus alternately or alternately on common circumferential circles, which, however, are half a distance apart from one another in the embodiment of FIG. This results in the effect that, in the arrangement possibility according to FIG. 5D, rows of successive suction cups 16 and successive nub-like projections 18, which run obliquely to the circumferential direction of the working part 6, are formed, which have a considerably higher packing density compared to the arrangement form of FIG. 5B . This results in rows of suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 18 which run in a spiral in the direction of the axis of rotation of the working part 6, as illustrated by the dash-and-dot lines in FIG. 5D. With a rolling or rolling movement of the working part 6 on the skin surface, a special massage effect is achieved in the embodiment according to FIG. 5D. It goes without saying that the suction cups 16 and the knob-like projections 18 on the peripheral surface of the working part 6 can also be arranged differently than in FIGS. 5A to 5D. The arrangement options according to these figures are to be understood as purely illustrative.

Regardless of the arrangement of the suction cups 16 and the knob-like projections 18 on the circumferential surface of the working part 6, the radial extension of the suction cups 16 and knob-like projections 18 is such that the suction cups 16 protrude radially beyond the knob-like projections 18, i. H. the circumferential circle formed by the suction cups 16 has a larger diameter than that which is formed by the knob-like projections 18. This ensures that, according to FIG. 3, in the course of the rolling or rolling movement of the working part 6 on a skin surface 20, each of the suction cups 16 or each of the suction cups 22 formed by the suction cups 16 sit with their free peripheral edge on the skin surface 20 and sit there can suck up. The mounting and suction movement of the suction cups 22 is not hindered by the knob-like projections 18, since the suction cups 16 or the open edges of the suction cups 22 protrude radially beyond the knob-like projections 18.

In the course of a further rolling movement of the working part 6 on the skin surface 20, the skin area sucked in by the suction bell or the suction bells 22 is pulled up slightly in the course of a carry-along movement, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3. Only when the elasticity inherent in the skin has built up a restoring force which exceeds the holding force due to the negative pressure in the suction cup 22, is the suctioned skin area released by the suction cup 22. 3 due to the negative pressure prevailing under the suction bell 22 in Part of the skin that is slightly raised due to the entraining movement springs back due to the elasticity of the tissue and "dives" slightly below the initial level. This dipping movement of the skin area, which immediately follows the pulling-up movement caused by the suction cups, together with the pulling-up movement causes an intensive massage effect on the treated skin surface and in the underlying tissue layers.

This massage effect can be enhanced by the fact that, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the knob-like projections 18 are provided in addition to the suction cups 16. 4, the knob-like projections 18 support the immersion movement of the skin surface 20 after it has been released by the suction cups 16 or the suction cups 22. The alternating arrangement of suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 18 thus results in a combined suction and pressure massage, which is particularly effective in particular for the treatment of cellulite and for lymphatic drainage.

If, at the same time as the treatment by the massage device 2 according to the invention, suitable cosmetic or healing preparations are applied to the skin surface 20 to be treated in ointment, paste or oil form, the sealing effect between the free edge of the suction cups 22 is first applied and the skin surface 20 and thus the suction effect according to FIG. 3 is improved. Furthermore, due to the alternating suction and pressure application to the skin surface 20, the respective preparations are massaged in or tapped into both the skin and the underlying deeper tissue layers.

Another particularly advantageous property of the massage device according to the invention is that the Rapid suction of the skin surface 20 dead or flaking skin particles are also torn off during the detaching or tearing process between the suction bells 22 and the skin surface 20. In addition to an intensive massage or lymphatic drainage effect, the massage device according to the invention can simultaneously achieve an effective peeling, that is to say removal of dead skin particles from the skin surface 20.

Finally, the suction of the skin surface 20 and the underlying tissue layers through the suction cups 16 or suction cups 22 improves the blood circulation in the skin and the underlying tissue layers. The associated tissue heating and thus activation means that cosmetic or healing preparations are absorbed even better by the skin.

By using the massage device according to the invention, the following cosmetic and / or therapeutic effect can thus be achieved in combination: simultaneous suction and pressure massage of the skin and the underlying tissue layers, lymphatic drainage, massaging in or incorporating cosmetic or medical preparations prepare and exfoliate the skin surface. The interaction of all or at least some of these effects can be used to effectively improve the skin tone, relieve tension and the like, among other things.

At least the material of the suction cups 16 and that of the knob-like projections 18, preferably also the material of the working part 6, is made of a skin-friendly and easy-care plastic. Furthermore, at least the material of the suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 18 should have a certain elasticity, the elasticity of the suction cups 16 being particularly important for the mechanism of action according to the invention. As a suitable material Silicon rubber is suitable for the suction cups 16 and nub-like projections 18 and possibly also for the working part 6. Silicone rubber is a skin-friendly and easy-care and therefore hygienic material since ointment or cream residues or the like can be removed without problems after the massage with warm soapy water and a soft brush or the like. Furthermore, silicone rubber is sufficiently soft and elastic.

The material of at least the suction cups 16 should preferably have a Shore hardness of approximately 20 to 80, in particular approximately 50. The Shore hardness allows the suction effect that can be achieved with the suction cups 16 or suction cups 22 to be set to a certain extent. In general, it can be said that the harder the material of the suction cups 16 is set, the stronger the suction effect between the suction cup 22 and the skin surface 20 and vice versa.

The suction cups 16 preferably have a wall thickness of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 and in particular approximately 0.2 to 0.3 mm. Wall thicknesses below 0.1 mm are no longer practical due to the then sensitivity to tearing of the suction cups 16 and wall thicknesses of above 0.5 mm disadvantageously make the suction cups 16 inflexible.

The opening diameter of the suction bells 22 in the region of the free edge thereof is approximately 3 to 20 mm, in particular approximately 8 to 15 mm. Opening diameters of less than 3 mm no longer produce a noticeable suction effect, and opening diameters of more than 20 mm would disadvantageously make the circumference and thus the diameter of the working part 6 large.

The working part 6 can be removably mounted on the handle part 4. This results in the possibility of being particularly good at the respective massage or therapy effect adapted work parts, for example in accordance with the embodiment forms of FIGS. 5A to 5D, and, in addition, damaged or worn work parts can be replaced by new ones.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the axis of rotation of the working part 6 is essentially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle part 4. With such a configuration of the massage device 2 according to the invention, it is possible to treat larger areas of skin, for example the back or the thighs. In an alternative embodiment, the axis of rotation of the working part 6 can also run essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle part 4. With such an arrangement of the working part 6 on the handle part 4, especially the face and neck areas can be treated, the guiding of the massage device 2 over the relevant skin areas also being pleasant from an ergonomic point of view, since the working part 6 is essentially Chen is arranged parallel to the handle part 4. For the treatment of parts of the face and neck, the diameter and / or the axial length of the working part 6 can also be reduced.

If desired, the negative pressure which can be generated by the suction cups 16 and which acts on the skin surface 20 can be increased by the suction cups 16 being subjected to an additional negative pressure from the interior of the working part 6. FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically show a possible embodiment of such a massage device 2. Here, according to FIG. 6, a connection 24 is provided on the rear end of the handle part 4 facing away from the working part 6. The connection 24 is connected to a line 26, which passes through the handle part 4 lengthways and via one of the lateral bearing brackets for the working part 6 shown in FIG. 1 is guided into the interior of the working part 6. The line 6 ends in the interior of the working part 6 in a local supply chamber 28, from which a plurality of lines 30 branches, the number of lines 30 corresponding to the number of suction cups 16 arranged on the working part 6. 7, the lines 30 open in the bottom region of the suction cups 16. An external suction pump can then be connected to the connection 24, in particular a water jet pump or the like, with which an additional vacuum can be generated without electrical energy, which is then via the line 26 and the plenum 28 acts on the individual suction cups 16. The suction effect between the suction cups 16 or suction cups 22 and the skin surface 20 can hereby be intensified.

The use of a water jet pump or any other external suction pump that works without electrical energy is particularly advantageous from a safety point of view, since experience has shown that massage devices are also used in damp rooms, that is to say bathrooms, in which case the person concerned is concerned can also be in the bathtub, where handling electrical devices is extremely risky.

However, it should be noted that even without the use of an additional external suction pump according to FIGS. 6 and 7, the massage and therapy effect that can be achieved with the massage device 2 according to the invention is extremely high.

It goes without saying that a large number of modifications and variations are conceivable within the scope of the present invention. Thus, among other things, the arrangement possibilities of the suction bells 16 and nub-like projections 18 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D are in no way to be understood as limiting. For example, As seen in the circumferential direction of the working part 6, two rows of suction cups 16 are also provided, essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part 6, which are then followed by one or two rows of the knob-like projections 18. Furthermore, the shape of the knob-like projections 18 is not limited to the shape shown in the figures with the rounded, approximately hemispherical surface, although in practice this shape has been found to be the most compatible during the massage process.

Furthermore, as already mentioned, the use of an additional vacuum source according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is possible, but not absolutely necessary in order to achieve the desired effect.

Claims

Massager with a handle part (4) and a working part (6) rotatably mounted on the handle part (4),

characterized in that

suction cups (16) are arranged on the surface of the working part (6).

2. Massage device according to claim 1, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the working part (6) is cylindrical or walzen¬ shaped, the suction cups (16) project radially to the axis of rotation of the working part (6) from its peripheral surface (12) substantially .

3. Massage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized ge indicates that the suction cups (16) are arranged in rows parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part (6) in rows on this.

4. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 3, da¬ characterized in that in addition to the suction cups (16) knob-like projections (18) project radially to the axis of rotation of the working part (6) from its peripheral surface (12) .

5. Massage device according to claim 4, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the suction cups (16) protrude radially beyond the knob-like projections (18).

6. Massage device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the knob-like projections (18) are arranged essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the working part (6) in rows on the latter.

Massage device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the rows of the knob-like projections (18) and the rows of suction cups (16) are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the working part (6).

8. Massage device according to claim 7, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that seen in the circumferential direction of the working part (6) the alternately arranged individual knob-like projections (18) and individual suction cups (16) are each on the circumferential circles of the working part (6).

9. Massage device according to claim 8, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the knob-like projections (18) and the suction cups (16) each lie on a common circumferential circles.

10. Massage device according to claim 8, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the knob-like projections (18) and the suction cups (16) each lie on their own circumferential circles.

11. Massage device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the circumferential circles have the same distance from one another.

12. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the suction cups (16) and knob-like projections (18) are made of a flexible material, in particular silicone rubber.

13. Massage device according to claim 12, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the soft elastic material at least the suction cups (16) has a Shore hardness of about 20 to 80, in particular of about 50.

14. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the suction cups (16) have a wall thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm, in particular of about 0.2 to 0.3 mm.

15. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the suction cups (22) of the suction cups (16) have an opening diameter of about 3 to 20 mm, in particular of about 8 to 15 mm.

16. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the axis of rotation of the working part (6) extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the handle part (4).

17. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the axis of rotation of the working part (6) runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle part (4).

18. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized by the fact that the working part (6) is mounted removably on the handle part (4).

19. Massage device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the suction cups (16) from the interior of the working part (6) can be acted upon with an additional vacuum.

20. Massage device according to claim 19, characterized in that the additional vacuum is generated by an external suction pump to which the handle part (4) can be connected, a vacuum connection (24, 26, 28, 30 ) from the handle part (4) to the working part (6) and from there to the suction cups (16).