Massage device having deformable and/or movable branches and massage method using same

1. A massage device comprising:

at least two rotary massage members having axes of rotation that are non-parallel; and

a handle which includes a first part that is less deformable than a second part and that is located at an end opposite from the at least two rotary massage members and the second part separates into at least two branches at a point approaching the at least two rotary massage members, each of the branches of the second part being configured to be elastically deformable along at least two axes with respect to the first part, and each of the branches of the second part carrying at least one of the at least two rotary massage members, the branches being in a first configuration when the at least two rotary massage members are not engaged with the region to be treated, and being configured to assume a second configuration when the massage members are engaged with the region to be treated, the branches being displaced relative to each other in one of the at least two axes while passing from the first configuration to the second configuration and being configured to return resiliently to the first configuration when the at least two rotary massage members are no longer engaged with the region to be treated, the branches presenting a cross-section that is not circular over at least a fraction of their length,

wherein the massage members are arranged relative to the branches in such a manner that the massage members move towards each other while the device is being displaced in a first direction over the region being treated, and move away from each other while the device is being displaced in a second direction, opposite from the first.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the at least two rotary massage members are identical.

3. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a massage member at an end that is remote from the branches.

4. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the branches are flexible enough to deform while the massage members are being applied to the skin.

5. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the axes of rotation of the massage members form an angle that is less than 180° .

6. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the axes of rotation of the massage members form an angle that is greater than 180° .

7. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the handle is a support enabling to be removably fastened on a receptacle.

8. A device according to claim 7 , wherein the receptacle comprises a dispenser member.

9. A device according to claim 8 , comprising a cap for covering the branches while the dispenser is not in use.

10. A device according to claim 1 , each of the branches presenting a longitudinal axis that is curvilinear.

11. A device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one massage member mounted on a swivel fork.

12. A device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the branches presents a length that is not less than 40 mm.

13. A device according to claim 1 , the first part of the handle presenting a generally flat shape.

14. A device according to claim 1 , the handle presenting a curved shape when observed from the side, with the longitudinal axes of the branches being superposed.

15. A device according to claim 1 , the handle presenting a generally flat shape that is curved when observed from the side, with the longitudinal axes of the branches being superposed, the handle being curved about an axis of curvature that is parallel to a long side of the handle.

16. A massage method wherein a massage device as defined in claim 1 is applied to the skin, and wherein the branches deform in contact with the skin by moving apart.