MASSAGE APPLICATOR

Abstract

A massage applicator for massaging cream-type fluids into the skin, provided with an end wall with a massage region, on which massage elevations are provided. The end wall is penetrated by at least one outlet channel for the cream-type fluid. The massage applicator is provided with suitable markings in the massage region for measuring the fluid to be used, the applicator is provided with a cover which can be blocked in an open position and/or secured in a closed position, and an assembly of two valves is used in order to secure against unintentional discharge.

Claims

1. A device for massaging in and dispensing cream-type fluids, the device comprising a massage applicator having an end wall with a massage region, massage elevations provided on the massage region, the end wall being penetrated by at least one outlet channel for dispensing the cream-type fluid, and markings configured as elevations or depressions provided on the massage region, said markings surrounding the at least one outlet channel and indicating different discharge quantities respectively achieved when the fluid discharged through the outlet channel reaches the respective marking on the massage region.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the markings comprise circular markings surrounding the at least one outlet channel.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the markings for indicating different discharge quantities and additional massage elevations not provided as such markings are provided on the massage region.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one of the following: the markings are each provided with an inscription on the massage region indicating the quantity of fluid discharged when the fluid on the massage surface reaches the marking; and inscriptions are provided at some other location of the massage applicator or on a fluid reservoir connected to the massage applicator, the inscriptions indicating what quantity of fluid has been discharged when the fluid reaches the respective markings in the massage region.

5. A device for massaging in and dispensing cream-type fluids, the device comprising a massage applicator having an end wall with a massage region, massage elevations provided on the massage region, the end wall being penetrated by at least one outlet channel for dispensing the cream-type fluid, the massage application having a base, the end wall with the massage region and the outlet channel being provided on the base, the massage applicator having a hinged lid configured to be pivotable via a hinge provided at a side of the massage region, the hinged lid being pivotable between a closed state, the hinged lid in the closed state covering the massage region, and an opened state, the hinged lid in the opened state exposing the massage region, and the massage applicator having at least one latching edge provided on the hinged lid and on the base, respectively, the latching edges being arranged such that, when the hinged lid is opened, the latching edges come into contact with one another and, when an opening movement of the hinged lid is continued, snap together or jam together such that the hinged lid is locked in the opened state.

6. A device for massaging in and dispensing cream-type fluids, the device comprising a massage applicator having an end wall with a massage region, massage elevations provided on the end wall, the end wall being penetrated by at least one outlet channel for dispensing the cream-type fluid, the massage applicator having a base, the end wall with the massage region and the outlet channel being provided on the base, and the massage applicator having a hinged lid configured to be pivotable via a hinge device provided at a side of the massage region, the hinged lid being pivotable between a closed state, the hinged lid in the closed state covering the massage region, and an opened state, the hinged lid in the opened state exposing the massage region, the hinge device having at least two connecting bridges between the base and the hinged lid, wherein a first connecting bridge of the at least two connecting bridges is articulated such that the first connecting bridge is pivotable about different bending axes on a side of the base and on a side of the hinged lid, and the bending axes of the first connecting bridge are not aligned coaxially with a bending axis of a second connecting bridge of the at least two connected bridges, such that, depending on an opening angle, the hinged lid is subject to force in a direction of the closed state or a pivoted end position, and the first connecting bridge has a bent shape permitting elastic elongation of the first connecting bridge by at least 10% without plastic deformation of the first connecting bridge.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, comprising at least one of the following: at least one end off the first connecting bridge makes a transition in a connecting region, starting from a bend in the first connecting bridge, in an aligned manner into a lateral wall of the base and/or of the hinged lid, wherein mechanical decoupling is produced by at least one lateral release cut in the connecting region between the connecting bridge and sections of the lateral wall which are adjacent in the circumferential direction; the bent shape of the first connecting bridge comprises, at opposite ends, bending sections with an inner radius of curvature of at least 0.3 mm, by which the first connecting bridge makes a transition in an aligned manner into a lateral wall of the base and/or of the hinged lid; a plurality of connecting bridges is provided in the manner of the first connecting bridge and are arranged on both sides with respect to the second connecting bridge; and the second connecting bridge is formed by a hinge arranged in a stationary manner both with respect to the base and with respect to the hinged lid.

8. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hinged lid is pivotable through at least 150°, between the closed state and the opened state.

9. A device for massaging in and dispensing cream-type fluids, the device comprising a massage applicator having an end wall with a massage region, massage elevations provided on the massage region, the end wall being penetrated by at least one outlet channel for dispensing the cream-type fluid, the massage applicator having a base, the end wall with the outlet channel being provided on the base, the massage applicator having a hinged lid configured to be pivotable via a hinge provided at a side of the massage region between a closed state, the hinged lid in the closed state covering the massage region, and an open state, the hinged lid in the open state exposing the massage region, and a child safety mechanism for fixing the hinged lid in the closed state, the child safety mechanism having, on the base and on the hinged, locking elements engaged with one another in a locking position to prevent the hinged lid from being swung open, and the child safety mechanism has at least two release surfaces for manual actuation, the at least two release surfaces being spaced apart from one another and operatively connected to one of the locking elements such that an application of force to both of the release surfaces takes place simultaneously with a displacement of the locking elements relative to one another, thereby enabling the hinged lid to be swung open.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hinged lid has a lateral surface, on which lateral surface the locking element of the hinged lid and the hinge are provided opposite one another, and the hinge is spaced apart from the massage region by at least 5 mm relative to a central axis of the massage application.

11. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hinged lid and the base each have a lateral surface, the lateral surfaces being designed to be in alignment with one another, at least in a partial region, and adjacent to the release surfaces on the lateral surface of the hinged lid, depressions are provided in the lateral surface of the base, in the region of which depressions the lateral surface of the base is set back or interrupted with respect to the lateral surface of the hinged lid.

12. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hinged lid and the base each have a lateral surface, the lateral surfaces being designed to be in alignment with one another, at least in a partial region, the lateral surfaces merge in at least one partial region into outer end faces that face one another, wherein a distance of between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm remains between the outer end faces in a predominant part of the outer end faces, and elevations are provided at least on one outer end face, in the region of which elevations the outer end faces rest against one another.

13. A device for massaging in and dispensing cream-type fluids, the device comprising a massage applicator having an end wall with a massage region, massage elevations provided on the massage region, the end wall being penetrated by at least one outlet channel for dispensing the cream-type fluid, the massage applicator having a base, the end wall with the outlet channel being provided on the base, the massage applicator having a hinged lid configured for pivoting via a hinge provided at a side of the massage region between a closed state, the hinged lid in the closed state covering the massage region, and an opened state, the hinged lid in the opened state exposing the massage region, the massage applicator having an outlet valve formed by a first valve pin arranged on an inside of the outlet channel, an inlet into the outlet channel and openable via an excess pressure in a valve chamber below the end wall, wherein the excess pressure lifts the end wall relative to the first valve pin, and a second valve pin provided on the hinged lid in a region of the outlet channel, the second valve pin, together with an outlet of the outlet channel, forming a blocking valve, the blocking valve closing when the hinged lid is closed, at least when the end wall is lifted relative to the first valve pin by excess pressure.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the outlet valve and the blocking valve are configured such that, when the hinged lid is closed and there is no excess pressure in the valve chamber, the outlet valve and the blocking valve clamp the end wall therebetween.

15. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second valve pin has a shape tapering in a direction of the outlet channel, and the second valve pin has, at a distal end, a cross-sectional area which is smaller than an outlet-side opening of the outlet channel, such that a distal end of the second valve pin is arranged in the outlet channel when the hinged lid is closed.

16. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the outlet channel has an outlet-side opening surrounded by a raised sealing bead.

17. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein opening of the outlet valve takes place primarily by elastic deformation of the end wall.

18. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hinged lid comprises polypropylene.

19. The device as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one of the following: the massage applicator has an outlet valve, the outlet valve opening in a pressure-dependent manner and being arranged upstream of the outlet channel; and the massage region has a substantially round shape and a diameter of between 20 mm and 60 mm.

20. (canceled)

21. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir for storing the cream-type fluid before discharge from the outlet channel, the massage applicator being connected to the fluid reservoir.

22. The device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a fluid reservoir for storing the cream-type fluid before discharge from the outlet channel, the massage applicator being connected to the fluid reservoir.

23. The device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a fluid reservoir for storing the cream-type fluid before discharge from the outlet channel, the massage applicator being connected to the fluid reservoir.

24. The device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a fluid reservoir for storing the cream-type fluid before discharge from the outlet channel, the massage applicator being connected to the fluid reservoir.

25. The device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a fluid reservoir for storing the cream-type fluid before discharge from the outlet channel, the massage applicator being connected to the fluid reservoir.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will be found in the claims and the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which will be explained below with reference to the figures.

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a massage dispenser according to the invention in a perspective overall illustration.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows the massage dispenser of FIG. 1 in a sectioned illustration.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows the massage applicator of the massage dispenser in a separate illustration.

[0063] FIGS. 3A to 3C show the massage applicator when discharging different quantities of fluid.

[0064] FIGS. 4A and 4B show the massage applicator in a sectioned illustration and in the closed and opened state.

[0065] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the closed massage applicator in a sectioned illustration in the state of rest and in the event of pressurization of the fluid in the fluid reservoir.

[0066] FIGS. 6, 6A and 7 show a second variant of a massage applicator, which is distinguished, in particular, by a different design of the hinge device.

[0067] FIGS. 8 and 8A show a third variant, which shows a further modified design of the hinge device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a massage dispenser 100 according to the invention. The latter has a massage applicator 10 and a fluid reservoir 110 in the form of a tube, to the outlet of which the massage applicator 10 is attached.

[0069] The massage applicator 10 has a base 40 as part of an outer component 12 and an inner component 14, not visible in FIG. 1. A hinged lid 70 is attached to the base 40 of the massage applicator 10 by means of a hinge 60, which lid is open in the state of FIG. 1.

[0070] The dispenser is a massage dispenser. The massage applicator 10 therefore has an end wall 20, on which a massage region 22 is provided, which has elevations 24, 28A, 28B, 28C, which make it possible to apply fluid previously present on the massage region 22 to the skin of the user and to massage it in there effectively. In order to place fluid on the massage region 22, an outlet channel 30, which is connected to the fluid reservoir 110, is provided in the middle of the massage region 22. On the outlet side, the outlet channel 30 is surrounded by a sealing bead 31, which is designed so as to be raised to approximately the same extent as the massage elevations 24 with respect to the surrounding end wall 20.

[0071] When the tubular fluid reservoir 110 is compressed, fluid is discharged here for subsequent application.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows the massage dispenser 100 of FIG. 1 in a sectioned illustration. First of all, it can be seen here that the massage applicator 10 is assembled from the two components 12, 14 mentioned. Component 12 forms the outer component 12, which, in particular, forms the end wall 20 with the massage region 22 and the hinged lid 70 covering the massage region 22 in the closed state. The second component 14 is an inner component 14, which, on the one hand, serves to couple the fluid reservoir 110 and, on the other hand, is snapped into the outer component 12. In the middle of the inner component 14, an elevation acting as a valve body 92 is provided, which in a state of rest presses on an inlet of the outlet channel 30 and thus closes the latter.

[0073] A valve chamber 94 is formed between the end wall 20 of the outer component 12 and the inner component 14, which is provided with passage channels. If, as a result of pressure on the fluid reservoir 110, the pressure in the valve chamber 94 is also increased, indirectly, through apertures in the inner component 14, this leads to the end wall 20 with the massage region 22 being lifted upward, with the result that the outlet valve 32 formed by the outlet channel 30 and the valve body 92 is opened and the fluid can emerge onto the massage region 22. If the pressure on the fluid reservoir 110 is eliminated, the outlet valve 32 closes again.

[0074] FIGS. 3 to 5B illustrate particular aspects according to the invention of the massage dispenser 100 and its massage applicator 10.

[0075] In FIG. 3, the outer component 12 of the massage applicator 10 is shown in an enlarged representation. As already described above, the massage region 22 is provided on the end wall 20 of the base 40, which end wall can be deformed comparatively easily for the purpose of valve opening. The elevations provided in this massage region 22 serve various purposes. While all the elevations 24, 28A, 28B, 28C serve the purpose of enabling the fluid to be massaged into the skin, the annular elevations 28A, 28B, 28C have a significance which goes beyond this. These elevations form markings which facilitate the discharge of a defined quantity of fluid. As can be seen on the right-hand side in FIG. 3, an inscription 78A, 78B, 78C is provided on the inner side of the hinged lid 70. This comprises three concentric circles, which are each assigned to one of the raised rings 28A, 28B, 28C in the massage region 22 and which are each provided with a volume value. It can be seen from this that a volume of 0.5 ml is achieved during the discharge of fluid when the fluid reaches the innermost raised ring 28A during discharge. If additional fluid is discharged, it will overflow ring 28A and initially extend as far as ring 28B. The user then knows that he has discharged about 1 ml of the fluid in accordance with inscription 78B. If still more fluid is required, the user can discharge further fluid until it reaches the last raised ring 28C. In accordance with inscription 78C, a quantity of fluid of approximately 2 ml has then been discharged.

[0076] The diameter which the annular elevations 28A, 28B, 28C must have in order to be able to receive the respectively assigned volume on the inside also depends on the fluid to be discharged and its viscosity. The diameters of the annular elevations 28A, 28B, 28C are therefore preferably adapted to suit the fluid contained in the fluid reservoir 110.

[0077] FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate the distribution of a fluid volume of 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml and 2.0 ml.

[0078] The annular markings 28A to 28C thus allow the user to discharge in a simple manner the quantity of fluid desired by him and possibly prescribed by a doctor, without a complex metering mechanism, for example by means of a pump, being required for this purpose. In addition, the markings 28A, 28B, 28C as elevations are also expedient when massaging in the fluid.

[0079] The other elevations 24, which are designed in the form of smaller round elevations, serve exclusively for the massaging effect.

[0080] FIGS. 4A and 4B show the outer component 12 of the massage applicator in a sectioned illustration. It can be seen that, in the closed state of FIG. 4A, a locking element 50 in the form of a pin on the base engages in a locking element 80 in the form of an eye on the lid, so that the hinged lid 70 cannot simply be swung open from the state secured in this way. In order to be able to swing open the hinged lid 70, the user must simultaneously press in the release surfaces 84 shown in FIG. 3 on opposite sides of the lateral surface 74 of the hinged lid 70. This leads to oval deformation of the lateral surface 74 of the hinged lid 70 and therefore causes displacement of the locking element 80 on the lid in the direction of the arrow 4. Only when the locking elements 50, 80 have been disengaged from one another is it possible to swing open the lid. In this case, the required force which must act on the release surfaces 84 is dimensioned in such a way that it cannot be applied by an infant, especially since it is already difficult for a child to reach both release surfaces 84 simultaneously with only one hand and then to actuate them as a result of a spacing of the release surfaces 84 by approximately 4 cm.

[0081] In order to prevent friction in the region of outer end faces 46, 76 or cream residues remaining here from making opening difficult even for adults, a plurality of crenellated elevations 48 are provided on the side of the outer end face 46 of the base, which crenellated elevations come into contact with the outer end face 76 of the hinged lid. This has the effect that the force to be applied by an adult on the release surfaces 84 remains reproducible even in the case of the said cream residues.

[0082] In order to facilitate actuation for an adult, depressions 54 are furthermore provided on the lateral surface 44 of the base 40, which lateral surface is in alignment with lateral surface 74. These facilitate forceful compression of the release surfaces 84.

[0083] Referring again to FIGS. 4A and 4B, it can be seen that respective latching elements with latching edges 82, 52 are provided in the region of the hinge 60 on the hinged lid 70 and the base 40. In the closed state of FIG. 4A, these latching edges 52, 82 are clearly spaced apart from one another. However, if the hinged lid 70 is now folded over after the locking elements 50, 80 have been unlocked, these latching edges 82, 52 come into contact with one another and snap into the state shown in FIG. 4B after slight elastic deformation. Thus, effective securing of the hinged lid 70 in the swung-open state is achieved, this being advantageous, in particular, because the hinged lid 70 fixed in this way and its locking element 80 usually cannot come into contact with the skin during the application of the fluid to the skin. If the hinged lid 70 is closed again by pivoting it back, a slight elastic deformation of said latching edges 52, 82 occurs again before they separate from one another and make it possible for the hinged lid 70 to be shut.

[0084] From FIG. 4B, it can furthermore also be seen that the hinged lid 70 has a special shape, with the base 40 being configured to correspond thereto. The special shape consists in that, with respect to a central axis 2, the locking element 80 and the hinge 60 are offset with respect to one another. This makes it possible to place the comparatively sharp-edged locking element 80 far from the plane of the end wall 20 for the purpose of applying the fluid, in order by this means too to reduce the risk of contact between the skin and the locking element 80. The offset arrangement of the hinge 60 and the locking element 80 also enables elegant shaping of the lateral surface 74, which, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 4B, is designed to taper toward the locking element 80 in a lateral perspective. This also reduces the risk of contact between the hinged lid 70 and the skin. In addition, the lateral surface 74 in this way offers sufficient space for the already mentioned release surfaces 84.

[0085] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the mode of operation of the outlet valve 32 in interaction with a blocking valve 36. The outlet valve 32 has already been described above. It is formed by the valve body 92 on the inner component 14, on the one hand, and the inlet into the outlet channel 30, on the other hand. When the pressure in the valve chamber 94 rises as a result of actuation of the dispenser, the end wall 20 rises and allows fluid to escape from the valve chamber 94 in the direction of the massage region 22. In the closed state of the dispenser, this is not intended. If, in the closed state of the dispenser, an excess pressure is inadvertently built up in the fluid reservoir 110, as far as possible no fluid should reach the massage region 22.

[0086] In order to achieve this, a valve body 86 is also provided on the inner side of the end face 72 of the hinged lid 70 and, in the closed state, this valve body is arranged predominantly above the outlet channel 30 and projects into the latter. The valve body 86 has a tapering and preferably, at least in some section or sections, a conical shape, enabling it to reliably enter the outlet channel 30 when the hinged lid 70 closes.

[0087] If, in the closed state, there is now an increase in pressure in the valve chamber 94 and thus a deflection of the end wall 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the blocking valve 36 formed by the valve body 86 and the outlet channel 30 and its sealing bead 31 closes. Accordingly, only a small quantity of fluid, if any, can escape into the massage region 22.

[0088] In the configuration according to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the outlet valve 32 and the blocking valve 36 are not simultaneously securely closed. The blocking valve 36 is closed only by a deflection of the end wall 20 as a result of an increase in pressure. In alternative configurations, however, provision can also be made for the preferably slightly conical valve body 86 to already press against the end wall 20 from above in the case of the closed hinged lid 70, thus ensuring that the end wall is clamped between the valve bodies 86, 92. The prestress then present in the end face 72 of the hinged lid 70 leads to particularly secure closing of the two valves 32, 36. However, such a construction is not only advantageous, since the continuous clamping of the end wall 20 and the repeated withdrawal of the valve body 86 from the outlet channel 30 could damage the easily deformable end wall 20. Therefore, the design with a blocking valve which is not continuously closed in the closed state also has its raison d'être.

[0089] FIGS. 6, 6A and 7 show a variant of the massage head which differs from the preceding one, particularly with regard to the hinge device 55. In accordance with the first variant, a film hinge 60 is also provided here, by means of which the base 40 and the hinged lid 70 are directly connected to one another and can be pivoted relative to one another about a bending axis 6. The film hinge 60 thus forms a central connecting bridge 57. Two further connecting bridges 56 are provided symmetrically to the side thereof. These also connect the hinged lid 70 and the base 40, but are longer than the central connecting bridge 57 formed only by the film hinge 60.

[0090] The lateral connecting bridges 56 project approximately orthogonally from the respective lateral surfaces 44, 74 of the base 40 and of the hinged lid 70 with attachment regions 58, 59. The attachment regions 58, 59 on both sides are connected to one another via a central part 61 which, in the production state of FIGS. 6 and 6A, forms a downwardly curved and upwardly open bent shape, the inner radius of which is approximately 2 to 3 mm. The transitions between the attachment regions 58, 59 and the central part 61 form bending axes 7, 8. FIG. 6A shows this again in a sectioned illustration.

[0091] If the lid is closed, the connecting bridge 56 bends in the region of the bending axes 7, 8. Due to the position of the bending axis 6 of the central connecting bridge 57, the central part 61 is stretched during closing. This is accomplished by a bending deformation of the central part 61 designed as a bent shape, which slightly increases its radius of curvature in the process.

[0092] The increase in the radius of curvature in the bending regions forming the central part 61 takes place completely elastically, and the resulting elongation is therefore not permanent. Such a permanent elongation would have to be feared if the central part were designed to be flat, resulting in pure elongation of the central part 61. Such elongation would partially entail plastic deformation and would have the result that the swung-open hinged lid 70 would no longer remain stably in the desired position, pivoted through 180°, but would pivot through a smaller angle, so that there would then be the risk of injury to the skin during the massage.

[0093] In the configuration of FIGS. 8 and 8A, the two outer connecting bridges 56 are configured differently. In the production state illustrated, they are largely flat. As in the case of the configuration of FIGS. 6 and 7, the lateral connecting bridges 56 do not have a bending axis which coincides with the bending axis 6 of the film hinge 60 but are designed primarily to buckle in attachment regions 58, 59, with the result that these regions form the respective bending axes 7, 8.

[0094] The attachment regions 58, 59 are designed as bending regions 58, 59, in which, in the production state of FIG. 8, the connecting bridges 56 are bent over continuously with an inner bending radius of approximately 1 mm, that is to say, without a sharp edge, they make a transition from a direction of the lateral walls 44, 74 which is vertical with respect to FIGS. 8 and 8A into the horizontal central section 61 of the connecting bridges 56.

[0095] If the hinged lid 70 is closed in order to produce the closed state of FIG. 7, this movement takes place about the bending axis 6 and, as described above with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7, requires an elongation of the connecting bridge 56 at least temporarily. This elongation is achieved primarily in the bending regions 58, 59, at which the bending radius is temporarily reduced somewhat. In order to permit this increased bending, the bending regions 58, 59 are separated from the adjacent lateral walls 44, 74 of the base 40 and of the hinged lid 70 by respective release cuts 45, 55 on both sides.

[0096] Here too, the increased bending in the bending regions 58, 59 takes place completely elastically, and the resulting elongation is therefore not permanent.

[0097] In the case of the design of FIGS. 6 and 7 too, the configuration of the bending regions can also alternatively be identical to that of FIG. 8, that is to say with connecting bridges 56 which emanate in an aligned manner from the lateral walls 44, 74 and are separated from the adjacent lateral wall by release cuts.