Exercising device for facial musculature

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/225,271 filed on Sep. 13, 2005.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

The present invention is directed to facial exercise apparatus, and more particularly to a facial exercise apparatus made of a flexible and stretchable material. Materials including elastic, latex, spandex, PPR (a soft rubber material) or neoprene are contemplated in addition to other materials with similar characteristics.

During physical exercise, it is common to work the abdominal muscles or cardio-vascular system. However, little attention is typically paid to facial muscles even though these muscles are critical to health and well-being. Proper exercise of the facial muscles can improve dental health and minimize painful macro-facial conditions such as TMJ. Proper exercising of the facial muscles can also noticeably improve physical appearance generally.

Facial exercise apparatus are known in the art, typified by complex and uncomfortable designs.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,043 discloses an exercise device for exercising face, jaws and neck muscles featuring an elongated strap with two releasable attachable ends and an elastic portion to provide resistance for muscle exercise. A visible scale measures force provided by the elastic portion through indicia on the exterior surface of the elongated strap that shows the increasing and decreasing stretch of the elastic portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,148 discloses a facial exercise mask including an inflatable lining that provides the resistive force for the facial muscles to work against. U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,053 discloses a chin and face toning strap including an elongated strap portion for wrapping underneath a chin and atop the head of a user. Magnets are secured within the cheek portions of the elongated strap portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,747 discloses a one piece face and neck exerciser. A critical feature is a neck band to which two elongated beginners\' neck resistance hands are attached into neck grooves to be permanently attached to the lateral sides of a chin cup. Increased resistance is provided by the use of additional resistance bands.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,857 discloses an apparatus for exercising the face and neck comprising a frame with multiple perforations in its upper and lower parts tor fastening flexible bands to produce elastic resistance to exercise facial muscles. Two ocular accessories with adjustable sockets are positioned within the frame for exercising the eyelids. Support and fastening elements firmly retain the bands and accessories in place on the frame for exercising facial muscles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,028 discloses a liquid latex facial mask that dries to a rubberized consistency resistant to facial muscle movement. This resistance is increased by adding additional layers of latex.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,254 discloses a sensor device to detect and signal the exercise or movement of a subject\'s craniofacial and cervical muscles including a trigger attached to the subject sensitive to movement in at least one direction and a signal emitter emitting a signal upon sensing movement.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,787 discloses an acupressure apparatus for applying vibrational pressure evenly to a plurality of pre-selected points on the face and includes a housing and flexible membrane secured to the housing to form an enclosed chamber between the housing and the flexible membrane for containing a liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,141 discloses an externally convex exercise mask made of an elastic two-way stretch cloth material. A central face portion has holes for the eyes, nose and mouth. Weights are disposed at the brow, temple, cheek, nose and chin.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,092 discloses a facial mask for isometric facial muscle toning comprising pressure applicators located to cover termination points of selected facial muscles, and a chamber that causes the pressure applicators to apply pressure to facial muscles.