The present invention relates to the field of massaging tissues of a part of a user's epidermis to be treated, notably the face.

The present invention also relates to the penetration into the skin of a cosmetic formulation or of a care formulation.

The term "cosmetic product" is understood, in particular within the meaning of the present invention, to mean a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a device that is able to used to locally massage the epidermis of a user.

The device can also be used to promote the penetration of a cosmetic or care formulation into the upper layers of the massaged zone.

The document KR 200466010 - Yl discloses a device intended to cool a surface of the user's epidermis. The device comprises a body of parallelepipedal shape comprising a plurality of hemispherical balls that are intended to provide a cooling effect on contact with the user's skin. Thus, by cooling the user's skin, it is easier to apply makeup thereto without it running.

With such an appliance, the massaging action is not actually effective. This is because the balls of the appliance mainly act to transmit cold to the user's skin.

The document CN 105476840 - A describes a cushion for massaging two parts of the body, notably a user's foot, comprising a first cushion portion having five rows of seven massaging balls and a second cushion portion having two massaging balls and a heating coating. The objective of said document is to propose a massaging device that is usable during cold temperatures and makes it possible to stimulate the reflex zones of the foot by way of an alternation of stimulation temperatures.

Another massaging device is known from the document DE 20 2014 001 424 - Ul, which describes a system for massaging pressure points on the back of a user, comprising a rubber mat provided with holes that are each intended to hold a massaging ball.

None of said documents proposes a tool for realizing different massaging techniques. Specifically, in order to activate blood microcirculation in a zone to be treated, for example in order to locally firm the epidermis in this zone, several massaging techniques exist which are currently realized manually.

Reference may be made, for example, to the massaging technique known as "smoothing" or "effleurage", which consists in circular movements carried out with the palm of the hand from the bottom of the face to the top of the face. Reference may also be made to the massaging technique known as "point massage", during which point pressure, optionally coupled with rotation, is applied to the zone to be treated by a fingertip, or to the massaging technique known as "tapotement" or "percussion", which consists in carrying out a rapid succession of taps on the zone to be treated alternately with the two hands, so as to produce a vibrating effect on the face.

There is therefore a need to improve massaging devices in order notably to allow the user to easily carry out different types of massage, notably on the oval of a user's face, but also on other parts of the body such as, for example, an arm or a leg.

The subject of the invention is a massaging device intended to be applied to the skin of a user, comprising a body and at least two massaging elements that protrude from the body.

The massaging device comprises a base that is integral with the body and holds said massaging elements. The body is made of a synthetic material that is less stiff than the material of the base such that at least a portion of said body extending on one side of the base is able to bend/flex with respect to said base under the effect of a pressure exerted by the user or of a relative movement between the base and said body portion.

Thus, it is possible to massage the user's skin by percussion, by tapping the flexible portion or the massaging elements against the skin, or to massage the user's skin by smoothing or effleurage. It is also possible, with the aid of the body and/or of the massaging elements of the base, to apply a cosmetic product to the user's skin.

The body is produced in one piece in which the base, apart from the massaging elements, is embedded. In other words, the body surrounds the base.

The stiffness of the flexible portion is sufficient to bend when external loads are applied to said flexible portion and to return to its initial position in the absence of external loads applied to said flexible portion.

Advantageously, said flexible portion does not have massaging elements. The base extends, for example, along a longitudinal axis and the flexible portion may be able to flex about a bending axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The bending axis extends preferably along the longitudinal side of the base from which said flexible portion extends.

For example, the massaging elements are aligned along said longitudinal axis. In a variant, the massaging elements are arranged in a staggered manner along said longitudinal axis.

The base and the massaging elements may be made as one.

For example, the device is obtained by overmoulding the body directly on the base. In this way, a device is obtained that is particularly economical and is able to be used immediately on demoulding, without the need for any post-treatment. The base may be partially or entirely embedded in the body.

Each massaging element has, for example, an axisymmetric hemispherical shape. It is readily apparent that other shapes could be conferred on the massaging elements, for example an axisymmetric half cylinder or a polygon having facets that are planar or non-planar, for example concave and/or convex facets.

According to one embodiment, the body comprises a first flexible portion that extends on one longitudinal side of the base and a second flexible portion that extends on the other, opposite longitudinal side of the base. In this way, it is possible to massage the user's skin by using the massaging elements to point massage the skin by folding the body so as to join together the ends of the two flexible portions.

Advantageously, neither of the flexible portions has massaging elements.

For example, each of the flexible portions is able to flex with respect to the base about a bending axis, for example, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first bending axis extends preferably along the longitudinal side of the base from which said first flexible portion extends and the second bending axis extends preferably along the other, opposite longitudinal side of the base from which said second flexible portion extends. The two bending axes are, for example, substantially parallel to one another. In a variant, the two bending axes intersect.

The base is, for example, disposed in the centre of the body so as to divide the body into two identical flexible portions. It is readily apparent that the base could be disposed so as to divide the body into two flexible portions with different dimensions. Advantageously, the body is made of thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE) with a Shore hardness of less than 100, more particularly less than 80, even more particularly less than 60.

The body may also be made of silicone with a low Shore hardness.

According to one embodiment, the base is made of metal material, such as, for example, stainless steel, aluminium or Zamak in order to confer a fresh feel on the zone to be massaged.

The massaging elements are, for example, produced by stamping the base.

According to another embodiment, the base is made of a synthetic material that is stiffer than the material of the body, such as, for example, a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene (PP), ABS, POM or PBT, of a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE), (TPU) or silicone with a Short hardness greater than the Shore hardness of the body.

The massaging elements and the base may thus be produced by moulding a synthetic material.

When the body and the base are both made of plastics material, it is advantageously possible to provide for the body and the base to be obtained by two- shot injection moulding.

For example, there are three massaging elements that are aligned along the longitudinal axis and are disposed equidistantly from one another.

Preferably, the flexible portion(s) has/have a thickness less than or equal to 8 mm, preferably less than or equal to 5 mm, and notably less than or equal to 2 mm.

Preferably, the massaging elements protrude from the body by a distance of between 2 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the base, apart from the massaging elements, is embedded in the body.

In a variant, provision may be made for one or more portions of the base other than the massaging elements to protrude out of the body.

Advantageously, each of the flexible portions is made of synthetic material that is configured to flex when external loads are applied to said flexible portion and to return to its initial position in the absence of external loads applied to said flexible portion.

For example, the (or each of the) flexible portion(s) has, on its upper surface, an addition of material, an overthickness so as to surround the base. Further aims, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, which is given only by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a top view of a massaging device according to a first embodiment of the invention in a rest position;

- Figure 2 is a view on the section line II-II in Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a base holding massaging elements of the device from Figure 1;

- Figure 4 shows the device from Figure 1 in a first use position;

- Figure 5 shows the device from Figure 1 in a second use position;

- Figures 6 to 9 show, in top view, various exemplary embodiments of a massaging device according to the invention in a rest position;

- Figure 10 shows a side view of a massaging device according to another embodiment of the invention in a rest position;

- Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a further variant embodiment of a massaging device according to the invention.

The figures illustrate the general structure of a massaging device, of overall reference 10, that is intended to be used to massage the epidermis of a user, and more particularly the face, in order to combat the sagging of the tissues of the epidermis by activating the blood microcirculation, making it possible to firm the epidermis.

The device 10 makes it possible, if need be, to promote the application and penetration into the skin of a cosmetic or care composition previously applied.

As illustrated in the figures, the device 10 mainly comprises a body 12 of parallelepipedal overall shape formed in one piece. In the rest position, that is to say in the absence of loads exerted by the user, visible in Figures 1 and 2, the body 12 has a substantially planar shape. In a variant, provision could be made for the body 12 to be substantially curved in the rest position. Provision could also be made for the body 12 of the device to have an oval or circular overall shape.

Preferably, the body 12 has a thickness less than or equal to 8 mm, preferably less than or equal to 5 mm, and notably less than or equal to 2 mm.

The device 10 also comprises a base 20 that extends along a longitudinal axis X-X' and has the overall shape of a narrow strip of elongate form along said axis. As illustrated, the base 20 is disposed in the centre of the body 12, so as to divide the body 12 into two identical body portions or tabs 16, 18. As will be described in more detail below, these portions 16, 18 are flexible. A first flexible portion 16 extends on one longitudinal side 20a of the base 20 and a second flexible portion 18 extends on the other, opposite longitudinal side 20b of the base 20. In a variant, provision could be made for the base 20 to be disposed at one end of the body 12, that is to say for the body 12 to only comprise a single flexible portion extending on one side of the base or for the base to be disposed so as to divide the body into two flexible portions with different dimensions. Furthermore, if provision is made for the body 12 to be substantially curved in the rest position, this curvature advantageously has an axis of curvature that corresponds substantially to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the base 20 or an axis of curvature substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the base 20.

Each of the flexible portions 16, 18 comprises a lower surface 16a, 18a and an upper surface 16b, 18b that are substantially planar, and a free end 16c, 18c. As illustrated, each of the flexible portions 16, 18 has, on its upper surface, an addition of material, an overthickness 16d, 18d so as to surround the base 20.

The base 20, which is visible in detail in Figure 3, holds massaging elements 22, forming massaging members, that protrude from the body 12 in a plane perpendicular to the body 12, and notably from the upper surface 16b, 18b of the flexible portions of the body 12.

Preferably, the massaging elements 22 protrude from the body 12, and notably from the upper surface 16b, 18b of the flexible portions of the body 12, by a distance of between 2 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm.

In the example illustrated, there are three massaging elements 22 that are aligned along the longitudinal axis X-X' and are disposed equidistantly from one another. A different number of massaging elements, for example equal to two, or greater than three, could also be provided. Provision could also be made for the massaging elements not to be aligned and for them to be arranged for example in a staggered manner along the longitudinal axis X-X'. As illustrated, each massaging element 22 has an axisymmetric hemispherical shape. In a non-limiting manner, the massaging elements 22 have substantially identical shapes and dimensions. As illustrated, the massaging elements 22 are situated in a plane parallel to the plane of the body 12.

By way of non- limiting example, the flexible portions 16, 18 do not have massaging elements. The body 12 is made of a synthetic material that is less stiff than the material of the base 20, such that each of the portions 16, 18 can flex with respect to said base under the effect, for example, of a pressure exerted by the user, and can return to its initial position in the absence of external loads. Each of the flexible portions is configured to flex with respect to the base about a bending axis Xl-Χ ; X2-X2' inherent thereto. The first bending axis XI -XI ' extends along the side 20a of the base 20 from which said first flexible portion 16 extends and the second bending axis X2- X2' extends along the other side 20b of the base 20 from which said second flexible portion 18 extends. The bending axes are, in an entirely non- limiting manner, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' .

For example, the body 12 may be made of thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE) such as, for example, polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) with a Shore hardness of less than 100, for example less than 80, more particularly less than 60. The body 12 may be made of silicone with a low Shore hardness.

The base 20 may be made of metal material, such as stainless steel, or of ceramic or glass, in order to confer a fresh feel on the zone to be treated. The base 20 may also be made of plastics material, such as, for example, thermoplastic material such as polypropylene (PP), of thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE) or (TPU) with a Shore hardness greater than the Shore hardness of the body 12.

As illustrated, the massaging elements 22 are made as one with the base 20.

When the base 20 is made of metal material, the massaging elements 22 are obtained by stamping the base 20.

In a variant, the massaging elements 22 and the base 20 could be produced by moulding a synthetic material.

By way of non-limiting example, the following combinations of materials used for the base 20/the body 12 could be provided: stainless steel/SEBS; alloy of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper (Zamak)/SEBS; PP/SEBS; silicone/silicone; stainless steel/silicone.

In this case, the massaging device 10 is obtained by overmoulding the body

12 directly on the base 20 so as to cover the base 20 and to allow the massaging elements 22 to protrude. In this way, a device is obtained that is particularly economical and is able to be used immediately on demoulding, without the need for any post-treatment. As can be seen in Figure 3, the base 20 advantageously has orifices 24, 26 through which the plastics material constituting the body 12 penetrates during the overmoulding of the body 12 on the base 20, thereby reinforcing the assembly of these two elements. As illustrated, four orifices 24 are disposed between two massaging elements 22, and two orifices 26 are disposed in each case at one end of the base 20. It will be noted that a different number and a different disposition of orifices could be provided while retaining an advantage during moulding.

Thus, in this embodiment, the base 20 is embedded in the body 12, apart from the massaging elements 22 which protrude from the body 12.

In a variant, provision could be made for the base 20 to be inserted into a rail forming a slideway of the body 12.

According to another variant, provision could be made for the base 20 to be made of plastics material, the latter being stiffer than the plastics material constituting the body 12, and for the massaging device comprising these elements to be realized by two-shot injection moulding.

In a first use of the device, illustrated in Figure 4, the user takes one end 16a of one of the flexible portions 16 of the body 12 between their fingers and executes a back-and- forth movement along the arrow F. The flexible portions 16, 18 then hinge about their corresponding bending axis Xl-Χ or X2-X2'. The user brings the device 10 into the vicinity of the zone to be treated while carrying out this movement, so as to tap the zone to be treated with one of the surfaces of the other flexible portion 18 on the opposite side from the flexible portion 16 held by the user and/or with the massaging elements 22 carried by the base 20. This massaging technique is known under the name of "percussion" or "tapotement" and notably makes it possible to smack one of the flexible portions and/or the massaging elements carried by the base, for example against the user's cheeks, without being painful or harmful.

This movement activates the microcirculation and firms the treated zone. This movement is possible by virtue of the flexibility of the flexible portions with respect to the base.

In a second use of the device 10, illustrated in Figure 5, the user folds the body 12 so as to flex each of the flexible portions 16, 18 about their corresponding bending axis Xl-Χ or X2-X2' so as to join the two free ends 16c, 18c of the two flexible portions 16, 18 of the body 12. The user can thus bring the massaging elements 22 into contact with the zone to be treated. This massaging technique is known under the name of "point massaging" and makes it possible notably to locally apply a pressure, possibly coupled with a rotation, to the epidermis and to stimulate the collagen fibres.

The device 10 according to the invention can also be used for smoothing or effleurage, or to apply a cosmetic product with one of the flexible portions 16, 18 of the body 12 and/or with the massaging elements 22 carried by the base 20.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 in that the body 12 of the device has an oval overall shape and in that the massaging elements 22 have different shapes. As illustrated in Figure 6, two massaging elements 22 have an oval shape and one massaging element has a circular shape. Provision could be made for all of the massaging elements to have a different shape and/or different dimensions.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 in that the body 12 of the device has a circular overall shape and in that the base 20 is not centred on the body 12. Thus, the base 20 divides the body 12 into two flexible portions 16, 18 with different dimensions.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the massaging elements 22 have a circular shape, with different sizes and are not aligned with one another.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 in that the base 20 is situated in one corner of the body 12. The body 12 comprises a single portion 16 that is able to flex with respect to said base 20 under the effect of a pressure exerted by the user or of a relative movement between the base 20 and said portion 16. The flexible portion is configured to flex with respect to the base 20 about a bending axis Xl-Χ which extends along the side of the base 20 from which said flexible portion 16 extends. As illustrated in Figure 8, there are five of the massaging elements 22, having a circular or oval shape. In an entirely non-limiting manner, the massaging elements 22 are aligned with one another.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 by way of the shape of the body 12 and of the base 20.

In this example, the body 12 comprises two flexible portions 16, 18 in the form of a butterfly wing, forming waves in order to make it easier to grip them. The base 20 has an elongate shape along the axis X-X', protruding longitudinally out of the body 12. As illustrated, the sides 20a, 20b of the base are not parallel to one another.

Each flexible portion 16, 18 is configured to flex with respect to the base about a bending axis Xl-Χ ; X2-X2' inherent thereto. The first bending axis XI- XI ' extends along the side 20a of the base 20 from which said first flexible portion 16 extends and the second bending axis X2-X2' extends along the other side 20b of the base 20 from which said second flexible portion 18 extends. In this case, the bending axes Xl-Χ ; X2-X2' intersect.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 by way of the shape of the massaging elements 22. In this example, the massaging elements 22 are in the form of waves that protrude from the body 12. This shape allows more comfortable and less aggressive contact with the user's epidermis.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 in that the massaging elements 22 are situated in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the body 12.

As illustrated, the body 12 comprises a portion 16 provided with a distal end 16c and an opposite proximal end 16e. The distal end 16c is narrower than the proximal end 16e. The body 12 also comprises two opposite faces 16a, 16b with a substantially curved shape. The flexible portion may be able to flex with respect to the base 20.

The base 20 comprises a first face 20a from which the massaging elements 22 protrude and a second, opposite face 20b fixed to the proximal end 16e of the body 12 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body 12. The second face 20b of the base 20 forms a side of the base from which said flexible portion 16 of the body 12 extends.

The base 20 carries two massaging elements 22 that each have a polygonal shape with facets that are planar or non-planar, for example concave and/or convex facets. In a non-limiting manner, the massaging elements are aligned along the axis of the base.

In one use of the device according to Figures 11 and 12, the user takes the distal end 16c of the flexible portion 16 of the body 12 between their fingers and executes a back-and-forth movement, so as to tap the zone to be treated with the massaging elements 22 of the base 20.

In a variant use of the device according to Figures 11 and 12, the user takes the proximal end 16e of the flexible portion 16 of the body 12 bearing the massaging elements 22 between their fingers and executes a back-and-forth movement, so as to tap the zone to be treated with the distal end 16c of the flexible portion 16.

By virtue of the massaging device according to the invention, it is possible, by virtue of a single tool, to carry out different massaging techniques, notably on a user's face.