Massage devices are generally known in practice.

In the Dutch patent NL 1,004, 358, for example, a massage device is described, which is suitable for massaging the skin. To this end the known device comprises a rotatable rod-like element that is provided with projections. These projections can be brought into contact with the skin of a user. The form of the known device is such that when, for example, the feet are massaged, the entire sole of the foot can be treated by the device.

That known device provides a good massage action.

Even so, this device is capable of improvement. It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an im- proved massage device while facilitating its use.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a massage device that is able not only to massage the skin but that by means of using various massage techniques is able also to provide an active stimulation of internal or- gans.

In general, the object of the invention is to provide a massage device making it possible to effectively treat the body in a simple manner.

In order to attain at least one of the above- mentioned objectives, the invention provides a massage de- vice, comprising an active surface to be placed on a body, provided with at least one active element that can be placed on the underlying part of the body.

The invention relates in particular to such a massage device, wherein the active element is chosen from at least one of the group consisting of: a) a mechanically

vibrating element and b) an electrically stimulating ele- ment.

The device according to the invention provides a simple manner of stimulating the skin.

Surprisingly it has been shown, that apart from stimulating the skin, which considerably improves, among other things, its blood circulation, there are also other positive effects. The invention will now be described mainly with reference to a preferred embodiment, wherein the active surface of the massage device substantially takes the form of a mould of a face. For the sake of con- venience and clarity such an embodiment is used as start- ing point, although the invention is not limited thereto.

The massage device according to the invention may combine a number of different types of massage techniques.

By combining both the mechanically vibrating elements and the electrically stimulating elements a combination of re- flex zone therapy, transcutaneous electroneuro-stimulation and vibromassage is obtained.

According to a preferred embodiment, the active surface comprises a pliable material. This allows the mas- sage device to be placed on several places on the body while good contact with the skin is assured.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises an energy supply, preferably an electri- cal source, for example a battery or an adapter for the lighting mains. When operating the device in such a man- ner, there is no need for any manual activity. This adds considerably to a user's convenience.

According to a further embodiment, the elements a) are provided on the active surface at positions that correspond with acupressure points. The effects obtained by using the device in accordance with such an embodiment are very good.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the elements b) are provided at positions that correspond with electroneuro-stimulating points. This also produces very good effects.

In a further preferred embodiment the elements a) and b) are suitable for, respectively, the mechanical and electrical stimulation of reflex zones. Practice has shown that with such an embodiment very good overall results can be obtained with respect to the well-being of the user.

It is especially preferred for the elements b) to be suitable for transcutaneous electroneuro-stimulation.

A device in the form of a facial mask was shown to provide especially good results.

One embodiment enjoying preference is comprised of a device whose surface coming into contact with a body surface is fabricated from an electrically conductive plastic. Such plastics are well-known in the art.

Finally, it is preferred for the device to com- prise a control unit for adjusting the intensity of the action of the elements a) and/or b). In this way the mas- sage device can be adjusted as desired. If a user has a sensitive skin, the intensity can be reduced. If there is less sensitivity, or if the device is used on parts where the skin of the user is thicker, for example the palm of the hand and the sole of the foot, the intensity may be increased.

The invention will now be elucidated with refer- ence to a preferred embodiment. This embodiment is not in- tended to limit the protective scope of the invention, but merely serves as illustration.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of a mechanically stimu- lating element for use in a device according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a face indicating the pressure points where the elements of a facial mask in accordance with Fig. 1 induce stimulation.

Figs. 4A and 4B show a specific embodiment of the device according to the invention.

In the drawing Fig. 1 shows a massage device 1 in the form of a facial mask. The inward side 2 of the device 1 is placed on the face of a user. To this end the device

1 is substantially formed as a mould of a face. The out- ward side 3 of the device 1 may have any desired shape and is of no importance in the context of this invention.

At the inward side 2, the device 1 comprises a plurality of elements. When the device 1 is placed on a face, the elements 11,12, 13 are positioned at the height of the forehead. The element 14 is positioned at the height of the temple. At the left-hand side (not shown in this Figure) a similar element 14 is positioned so as to be placed against the left temple of a user. The elements 15,16 are placed against the cheek of a user.

The elements 17,18 are placed against the under- side of the chin.

Correspondingly, the elements 19,20 are placed on the front of the face at the height of and at both sides of the nose, whereas the elements 21,22, 23 are po- sitioned just above and below the mouth.

Obviously, the elements 11-23 may be placed at other positions, so as to treat other parts of the facial skin.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the positions of the eyes 4,5 are left free from elements. In this way the user will be able to enjoy a suitable degree of rest while using the device.

The massage device 1 as depicted in Fig. 1 also shows active elements 24,25. In this Figure only the ele- ments 24,25 are visible at the right-hand side of the mask. However, these may be provided in a corresponding manner at the left-hand side of the device. Other posi- tions than those shown here are of course also applicable.

It is preferred for the elements 11-23 to be me- chanically vibrating elements. During use of the device, these vibrating elements provide oscillations, which are imparted to the skin on which the elements are placed. In this way active stimulation of the skin takes place.

The elements 24,25 in the embodiment shown are, for example, electrically stimulating elements. Such ele- ments may, for example, consist of magnetic material so as

to provide a passive stimulation of the skin. It is, how- ever, also possible to connect the electrically stimulat- ing elements with a current source so as to apply a very weak electric current to the skin. In this way an active stimulation of the skin is provided.

The massage device 1 may further be provided with an energy supply, preferably an electric power source (not shown). This electric power source can supply energy to the vibrating elements so as to enable them during use to provide the massage action. Such an energy supply can also provide the power supply to the elements 24,25.

In order to allow the device to be used at dif- ferent locations, the power supply consists preferably of a battery. However, a direct connection with a lighting mains, for example by means of a net adapter, is also pos- sible.

The massage device 1 may be manufactured from a relatively rigid material, so that the same is highly form-retentive. However, in order to render the massage device 1 suitable for faces of various sizes and shapes, it is preferred to manufacture the massage device 1 from a flexible material. This makes the device 1 suitable to be used by several persons.

A particular preferred embodiment is formed by a massage device 1 which is modelled to the face of the user. To this end a mould of the user's face may be made.

On the basis of the model obtained, a mask may then be fashioned. In that case the desired massage points can be determined very accurately. In Fig. 3 the massage points are indicated.

Practice has shown that in addition to providing a very good blood circulation of the treated skin, the massage device 1 according to the invention also has a fa- vourable effect on the organs in the body. The reason for this is not altogether obvious. It is possible that by means of the mechanically vibrating elements the invention provides a kind of reflex zone therapy and vibromassage correction. Perhaps the electrically stimulating elements

are able to provide a transcutaneous electroneuro- stimulation. Such a treatment is known in traditional Chi- nese medicine as well as in other forms of so-called tra- ditional medicine.

According to those forms of medicine, the face and the ears in particular possess numerous small acupres- sure and reflex zone points, which characteristically have their projection in the brain. They correspond zone-wise with vital glands, organs and tissue systems. By means of a focussed, pressure-applying, for example, vibrating mas- sage of the respective zone, a favourable influence may be exerted on the organ or tissue corresponding with that zone.

By means of the transcutaneous electroneuro- stimulation certain nerve fibres are stimulated. Via the electrical stimulation, moreover, signals are transmitted to the brain promoting the release of certain substances, for example, endorphins. As a result of this, a general feeling of well-being is generated.

According to traditional forms of medicine, mas- saging certain points of the head have a stimulating ef- fect on the brain, the eyes, the ears and on the face in general. This massage may be applied to all parts of the face. In addition, it stimulates many internal organs, as mentioned above.

Acupressure in particular improves the muscle tone in the facial muscles, provides a healthy blood cir- culation, smoothes the skin, promotes the breakdown of fat and ensures that there is a better distribution of accumu- lated subcutaneous fat. This results in a probable"reju- venation"of the facial skin due to the skin becoming firmer. This is possibly the result of an improved cross circulation.

It is therefore preferred for the mechanically vibrating elements on the active surface to be positioned so as to correspond with acupressure points.

It is therefore also preferred for the electri- cally stimulating elements on the active surface to be po-

sitioned so as to correspond with electroneuro-stimulating points.

According to still a further preference, the electrically stimulating and mechanically vibrating ele- ments are positioned such that they stimulate reflex zones while also being suitable for transcutaneous electroneuro- stimulation. Since different people have different skin structures, it is preferred for the massage device 1 ac- cording to the invention to comprise a control unit (not shown) with which the intensity of the action of the me- chanically vibrating and electrically stimulating elements can be adjusted. It is particularly preferred for the ele- ments 11-23 of the massage device 1 to be adjustable indi- vidually or per area. For example, the elements 11,12 and 13 may then possibly provide a stronger massage action than the elements 17,18. It is preferred for all the other groups of elements or all the individual elements also to be adjustable independently.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of an element 11-23 ac- cording to the invention. Clearly shown are the rod-like projections 26, of which an end 28 facing away from the base 27 can be placed against the skin of a user. When us- ing such an element, the base 27 may be provided with a mechanical vibration, which vibration will be transmitted to the skin via the rod-like projections 26. These ele- ments are preferably fabricated from an electrically con- ductive material, so as to allow electrical currents to be conducted to the skin via these elements. According to a particular preferred embodiment, the elements are made from an electrically conductive plastic. This produces a very pleasant effect for the user.

Figs. 4A and 4B show a simplified schematic view from below of an automatic neck adaptation. To this end the figures show a neck portion 29 of the facial mask ac- cording to Fig. 1. This portion 29 covers the massage points on the neck, as schematically indicated in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 4A and 4B the projections 26 of the element 17 are shown. In the context of the invention, the term mas-

sage points denotes the points that are in contact with the elements of the device, that implement the reflex zone therapy, transcutaneous electroneuro-stimulation and/or vibromassage. The surface 31 of the neck portion 29 shown in Figs. 4A and 4B adapts to the form of the neck 30 of a user when the same presses the surface 31 against his or her neck. Fig. 4A shows the starting position, while Fig.

4B shows the position when the surface 31 is pressed against the neck 30. The surface 31 is made from a flexi- ble material. The surface 32 is made from a rigid mate- rial, which will substantially not bend when a force is exerted on surface 31, for example, when the surface 31 is pressed against a neck 30. The lateral surfaces 33,34 are relatively rigid and are able to pivot or bend around the points 35 or 36, respectively. Consequently, when a neck is pressed against the surface 31, this surface 31 will bend and assume the form of the neck. This provides a good contact between the device and the intended massage points.

Hereinbefore the invention has been expounded with reference to a preferred embodiment. The invention is not limited to a massage device 1 in the form of a facial mask. For example, it may be provided in the form of a mat, which may be placed on various parts of a human body.

By fabricating the entire device 1 from a resilient mate- rial, it is also possible to obtain an active massage for the soles of the feet.

Other embodiments that are obvious to a person skilled in the art but have not been explicitly described heretofore or illustrated in the Figures, also fall within the scope of this invention. The invention is limited by the appended claims only.