Abstract
A powered massaging device having a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and a massaging head with a skin engaging surface. The massaging head being attachable to the drive shaft for simultaneous rotation about the axis and vibration in a direction along the axis.
Claims
1. A powered massaging device comprising: a drive shaft having an axis of rotation, a massaging head with a skin engaging surface, the massaging head being attachable to said drive shaft for simultaneous rotation about said axis and vibration in a direction along said axis, a controller configured to rotate the massaging head in a first direction of rotation for a predetermined period of time before rotating the massaging head in a second direction of rotation for a second predetermined period of time, and wherein the controller is configured to prevent rotation of the massaging head for a further predetermined period of time after rotating it in said first direction and before rotating it in said second direction while maintaining a single mode of operation, wherein the massaging head comprises a central hub and a plurality of massaging elements, each massaging element being spaced radially from the central hub and spaced from each other in a circumferential direction about the axis, wherein the massaging elements comprise between 6 and 17 petals integrally formed with the central hub and spaced evenly around the entire circumference of the massaging head wherein a pitch between the petals is less than 23 mm but more than 6 mm, wherein tips of the petals are curved with a radius of between 8 mm and 10 mm, and wherein the central hub has a domed upper surface protruding in an axial direction beyond the petals.
2. A powered massaging device according to claim 1, wherein each of the petals extends radially from the hub by a distance of between 3 mm and 8 mm.
3. A powered massaging device according to claim 1, wherein the petals extend in an axial direction by between 8 mm and 15 mm.
4. A powered massaging device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to control vibration of said massaging head along said axis at a frequency of between 30 and 60 Hz.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a simplified view of an embodiment of a powered massaging device according to the invention with a massaging head attached thereto;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a first massaging head according to an embodiment of the invention for use with the massaging device of FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a second massaging head according to an embodiment of the invention for use with the massaging device of FIG. 1;
(5) FIG. 4(a) shows a number of alternative massaging heads according to embodiments of the invention for use with the massaging device of FIG. 1;
(6) FIG. 4(b) shows the massaging device of FIG. 1 in use in a first orientation;
(7) FIG. 4(c) shows the massaging device of FIG. 1 in use in a second orientation;
(8) FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of another massaging head for use with the massaging device of FIG. 1;
(9) FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the skin of a user, with the device of FIG. 5 in use;
(10) FIG. 7 shows a a top perspective view of another massaging head for use with the massaging device of FIG. 1; and
(11) FIG. 8 is a diagram to show how the massaging device according to FIG. 1 may be controlled in order to massage the face.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(12) Embodiments of the present invention provide a massaging device with a head that is rotated by the device, whilst also being vibrated in an axial direction. The massaging head has features to massage the skin of a user as it rotates and vibrates, in order to replicate various known massaging techniques, such as effleurage, tapotement and petrissage, as described above. It is envisaged that the massaging device of the invention will be used primarily to massage facial and eye areas.
(13) With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a generalised view of a massaging device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The massaging device 1 has a body or housing 2 which contains a source of power, such as a battery 3, a motor 4, a vibrator 5 and a controller 6. These components are all interconnected in order to drivingly rotate a drive shaft 7, which has an axis of rotation A-A, in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction about said axis (i.e. in the direction of arrows X or Y in FIG. 1) and, to cause the drive shaft 7 to vibrate in an axial direction (as indicated by arrow Z). A massaging head 8 is removably attached to the drive shaft 7 and has a skin engaging surface 9.
(14) FIG. 2 illustrates a first massage attachment according to an embodiment of the invention, for use with the device of FIG. 1. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the skin engaging surface 9 is completely smooth and curved in shape so as to promote a gentle stroking action on the skin. Preferably, the skin engaging surface 9 is also soft and is formed from a low-friction material. Alternatively, the skin engaging surface 9 may be coated with a low-friction material.
(15) The massaging device may be configured to rotate the massaging head shown in FIG. 2 in direction A or B and at a speed of between 100-180 rpm, whilst causing it to simultaneously vibrate in an axial direction C at a vibrational frequency ranging from 30-100 Hz. Most preferably, the massaging head is rotated at a speed of 158 rpm.
(16) The massaging head of FIG. 2 mimics the known type of hand massage technique called effleurage when used with the device of FIG. 1.
(17) With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative type of massage head 10 for use with the massaging device 1 of FIG. 1, which has a central hub 11, which connects the massaging head to the drive shaft 7 and, a plurality of integrally formed petals 12 extending radially from the central hub 11 spaced from each other around the entire circumference of the central hub 11.
(18) The petals 12 are intended to create a temporary deformation on the skin as the massaging head 10 rotates. The distance between the peaks of the pedals 12 is related to the size of a finger, in order to mimic a tapping motion similar to a finger tapping against the skin. A continuous cyclic motion is created as the pedals are equally spaced.
(19) With the massaging head of FIG. 3, a rotational speed of between 100-180 rpm is preferred following tests with users. Most preferably, the speed is 158 rpm.
(20) Although the embodiment of FIG. 3 shows a massaging head 10 with eight petals 12, the massaging head 10 can be modified within the scope of the invention to have less or more petals 12. A preferred number of petals 12 is between six and seventeen.
(21) Preferably, the distance or pitch P (see FIG. 3) between petals is less than 23 mm, but more than 6 mm. At distances less than 6 mm, little or no sensory response is perceived.
(22) The petals 12 may extend from the central hub 11 by a radial distance R less than 10 mm. It has been found that the ideal radial extent R of the petals 12 is between 3 mm and 8 mm.
(23) Furthermore, each petal 12 has a curved tip 13. The preferred radius of curvature should ideally be in the order of 4 and 5 mm.
(24) Preferably, the petals should extend in an axial direction for a distance of between 8 mm and 15 mm.
(25) The massaging head 10 of FIG. 3 mimics the known type of hand massage technique called tapotement when it is used with the massaging device shown in FIG. 1.
(26) FIG. 4(a) illustrates a number of alternative massage heads which combines the smooth skin engaging surface 9 of the massaging head described with reference to FIG. 2 and, the massaging head with petals 12, described with reference to FIG. 3, into a single massaging head. As is clear from each of the massaging heads shown in FIG. 4(a), they have a plurality of petals 12 extending from a central hub 11, as in the massaging head 10 of FIG. 3 but, the central hub 11 also has an elevated or domed upper surface 9 that extends beyond the petals 12 in the axial direction.
(27) With reference to FIG. 4(b), there is shown a massaging device 1 according to FIG. 1 to which one of the massaging heads illustrated in FIG. 4(a) is attached. The massaging device 1 is shown in use and in a first orientation, in which the domed upper surface 9 of the massaging head 14 is placed against the face of a user in order to apply a effleurage type massaging action to the skin. It will be noted that, due to the elevated or raised profile of the central hub 11, the petals 12 that extend radially from the central hub 11 do not come into contact with the skin when the massaging device 1 is used in this first orientation, so a massaging action similar to that experienced with the massaging head 8 described above with reference to FIG. 2 is obtained.
(28) With reference to FIG. 4(c), it can be seen that the massaging device 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in use in a second orientation, in which the petals 12 are placed against the face of a user in order to apply a tapotement type massaging action to the skin. It will be noted that, the raised upper surface 9 of the central hub 11 does not come into contact with the skin when the massaging device 1 is used in this second orientation, and only the petals 12 contact the skin. Therefore, in this orientation, a massaging action similar to that experienced with the massaging head 10 described above with reference to FIG. 3 is obtained.
(29) The above-described embodiment of the invention therefore includes a massaging device 1 having a massaging head 14 that is configured to generate different massaging techniques dependent upon the orientation of the massaging device 1 and without any need to change the massaging head 14 for one of a different configuration or design.
(30) Another type of massaging head 15 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown, the central hub 11 is formed with a number of spokes 16 (five being shown in FIG. 5). The spokes 16 extend radially from the central hub 11 and are spaced equidistant from each other. Mounted on each spoke 16 is a freely rotatable element 17. Preferably, each element has a smooth and curved skin-contacting surface 18. Most preferably, the skin-contacting surface 18 on each element 17 is spherical or part-spherical in shape so that the elements 17 each resemble a ball. When the central hub 11 rotates at a frequency in the region of 30-60 Hz, and the elements 17 are pressed against the skin, rotation of the elements 17 cause the skin to be compressed, stretched and pinched, as illustrated in FIG. 6, which shows the device pressed against the surface of the skin S. As the device 1 is moved across the skin surface S, the elements 17 rotate, as indicated by arrow R, causing the skin S to be drawn up and pinched between adjacent elements 17, as indicated by T. The degree of deformation depends on the force applied to the skin S by the user and the elasticity of the skin S. It will be appreciated that the central hub 11 may have a different number of spokes 16 and so the number of balls 17 or elements mounted thereto, as well as their diameter D may be different. For example, three, four or six elements 17 may be used instead of the five shown in FIG. 5. The elements may be made from a number of different materials including hard or soft plastics or elastomers and they may be made from a low-friction material or coated with a a low-friction material. To increase skin stretching, all of the following may be increased namely, the size or diameter of the elements, the number of elements, the rotational speed of the drive shaft, the surface friction of the balls and the pitch P between elements 17.
(31) The above-described massaging head device provides a massaging effect that mimics a petrissage type massage when used with the massaging device shown in FIG. 1.
(32) Another embodiment of massaging head 19 that provides a petrissage type massage effect is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the massage head 19 has a planar base surface 20 and the central hub is a raised inner protruberance, knob or bump 21 with a curved outer surface 22 protruding upwardly from the centre of the base surface, coaxial with the axis of rotation A-A of the massaging head 19. A number of peripheral protruberances, knobs or bumps 23 are arranged around the periphery of the massaging head 19 and upstand from the base surface 20. Each of the peripheral protruberances 23 are spaced radially from the inner protruberance 21 and spaced circumferentially from each other. The dimensions of the peripheral protruberances 23 may be altered in order to provide the desired massage effect. In particular, the peripheral protruberance 23 outer height (H in FIG. 7) should be between 4 and 5 mm. The width (W) of each peripheral protruberance should be between 5 and 7 mm. The distance between each peripheral protruberance should be between 6 and 12.5 mm. The length (L) of each peripheral protruberance should be between 8 and 12 mm. The number of peripheral protruberances 23 should be between 2 and 4 and preferably, there should be an even number. Petrissage provides a stronger deeper movement manipulating the skin surface through to elastic and collagen fibres and deeper into the muscles. This enhances movement of intercellular fluids and stimulates blood flowenabling better nutrient absorption and release of tense ligaments and muscles. As tested with users these shapes have been found to pinch and knead the skin and provide the most effective massage. Each peripheral protruberance 23 may have a curved outer surface 24 remote from the base 20. The degree of curvature may be altered, as can the speed of rotation of the massage head 19 and the friction of the material from which they are made or the coating that is applied to them.
(33) The controller 6 of the massaging device 1 according to any embodiments of the invention may incorporate a timer and may control operation of the device according to a massaging program. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the face F can be divided into dual zones z1 and z2. Upon initial switching on of the device 1, the massaging head may rotate in a first direction, as indicated by arrow K, for a predetermined period of time (a), which may be in the order of around 90 seconds, so that the device 1 may be used to massage one side of the face F, i.e. zone z1. When that initial period of time has expired, the controller 6 will briefly pause rotation of the massaging head 15 for a second predetermined period of time (b), which could be in the order of 0.5 seconds. The controller 6 will then rotate the massaging head 15 in the opposite direction, as indicated by arrow L, for a further predetermined period of time for massaging the other side of the face, i.e zone z2, before stopping. By providing a timer and by causing the massaging device 1 to stop between rotating in its first and second directions K, L, a user knows when to apply the massaging device 1 to the opposite side of the face until the program is complete.
(34) To make the user experience more intuitive and the device easier to operate, each massaging head can contain an RFID tag which will store relevant massaging device 1 setting information associated with that massaging head, such as velocity and vibration frequency. As such, when a massage element is connected to the device 1, it will be detected automatically and the adequate rotation and vibration settings will be activated.
(35) It will be appreciated that the term comprising does not exclude other elements or steps and that the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
(36) Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel features or any novel combinations of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the parent invention. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.
