HEAD ACCESSORY FOR PROMOTING BACK SLEEPING
A device to be worn on a user's head is provided for promoting back sleeping. The device includes first and second stabilizers that have a head engaging surface and a bulge portion that extends outwardly from the head engaging surface, such as in the shape of a triangular prism. The first and second stabilizers are supported by a connecting member, such as a band that is worn around the user's head. When in use, the user is able to lie on his or her back on a sleep surface, such that the first and second stabilizers are positioned on opposite sides of the user's head. In this way, lateral movement of the user's head is limited to encourage back sleeping and avoid or minimize the pressure that may otherwise be applied to certain areas of the face, such that the occurrence of sleep wrinkles can be reduced.
The present invention relates generally to devices for promoting back sleeping. More specifically, a device is described that, when worn on a user's head during sleep, encourages the user to sleep on her back by comfortably restricting lateral movement of the head during sleep and/or elevating the user's face with respect to the sleep surface.
BACKGROUNDSleeping on one's back, or back sleeping, is recommended by many as a preferred position for various health and cosmetic reasons. For example, back sleeping is often recommended as a way to help promote proper alignment of the body, benefiting the spine and neck. Back sleeping is also identified by some as one way to minimize the formation of facial wrinkles known in the skin care industry as “sleep wrinkles.”
When one is asleep, it is often difficult to control one's movement. Individuals who are sleeping often change positions, roll over to one side or another, and turn over without consciously being aware of such movements. Thus, for many, remaining on one's back while sleeping may be difficult, especially for people who tend to move around during their sleep cycle or for those who have a natural tendency or preference for sleeping on their stomach or side.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device for promoting back sleeping that is comfortable, easy to use, portable, and attractive.
BRIEF SUMMARYA device is therefore provided in accordance with an example embodiment for promoting back sleeping that is simple, attractive, lightweight, and inexpensive. Embodiments of the device described below allow for comfortable, but limited, lateral movement of the head and body, while avoiding the need for elaborate pillows and other bulky conventional items that are designed to position the body in a fixed position. In contrast with conventional body positioning aids, which may be moved out of position during sleep and/or require repositioning if sleep is interrupted, and which at the same time are difficult to take along on vacations and business travel due to their size and appearance, embodiments of the device described herein are comfortably secured to the user's head and are lightweight and portable. In addition to promoting back sleeping, the device, according to embodiments of the invention, is designed to avoid direct contact with the wearer's face for the entire night's sleep. Moreover, if the wearer does turn onto her side while sleeping, embodiments of the device continue to remain off the face and reduce or prevent contact of the face with the sleep surface, thereby avoiding putting pressure on the facial area to reduce the risk of forming sleep wrinkles.
In particular, embodiments of a device configured to be worn on a user's head during sleeping are described, where the device includes first and second stabilizers and a connecting member extending at least between the first and second stabilizers. Each of the first and second stabilizers comprises a head engaging surface configured to be disposed proximate the user's head and a bulge portion extending outwardly from the head engaging surface. The first and second stabilizers are supported by the connecting member such that, when the device is worn by the user and the user is positioned with the user's back on a sleep surface, the first and second stabilizers are disposed on opposite sides of the user's head and limit lateral movement of the user's head to promote back sleeping.
In some embodiments, the first and second stabilizers may comprise a closed cell compressed foam. Each of the first and second stabilizers may comprise a body and a protruding portion. In some cases, the body may define a channel and the protruding portion may comprise a protruding insert that is received by and secured within the channel. In other cases, the protruding portion may be formed integrally with the body. In either case, the protruding portion may extend outwardly past an outer surface of the body.
The connecting member may, in some cases, comprise a closed loop of material configured to be worn around the user's head. The connecting member may comprise an elastic material and/or may comprise multiple layers. The first and second stabilizers may be configured to be movably secured to the connecting member, such that a position of each of the first and second stabilizers is adjustable with respect to the connecting member. Thus, the first and second stabilizers may be configurable to be positioned proximate the user's parietal or temporal bone in some cases, while the first and second stabilizers may be configurable to be positioned proximate the user's cervical neck area in others.
Each of the first and second stabilizers may be encased within a covering, and the covering may be removable. The covering may, in some cases, comprise a sleeve configured to receive a portion of the connecting member therethrough for attaching a respective stabilizer to the connecting member. Moreover, the stabilizers may have various different shapes. In some embodiments, for example, each of the first and second stabilizers may comprise a triangular prism shape.
In other embodiments, a method of manufacturing a head accessory to promote back sleeping is provided, where the method includes forming a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer. Each of the first and second stabilizers may comprise a head engaging surface configured to be disposed proximate the user's head and a bulge portion extending outwardly from the head engaging surface. The method further includes engaging a connecting member to the first and second stabilizers such that the first and second stabilizers are supported by the connecting member. In this way, when the device is worn by a user and the user is positioned with the user's back on a sleep surface, the first and second stabilizers are disposed on opposite sides of the user's head and limit lateral movement of the user's head to promote back sleeping.
In some cases, forming each of the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer may comprise forming a body and a protruding portion. Forming each of the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer may, for example, comprise defining a channel within the body and securing a protruding insert within the channel to form the protruding portion. The method may further comprise applying a covering to at least one of the first or second stabilizers, and applying the covering may comprise defining a sleeve that is integral with or attached to the covering, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of the connecting member for engaging the connecting member to the first and second stabilizers.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
As mentioned above, back sleeping is often recommended as a preferred sleeping position for many reasons. In some cases, back sleeping is seen as conducive to proper neck and spinal alignment. In other cases, back sleeping is encouraged as a way to avoid creating facial wrinkles that may otherwise result when a person habitually sleeps with part of his or her face pressed against the sleep surface (e.g., a mattress or pillow). For example, sleep wrinkles, which are different from the wrinkles that may be cause by facial expressions, can be created and augmented when a person's face is pushed against a pillow or other sleep surface, such as in the side sleeping position or the stomach sleeping position. Such wrinkles typically appear in similar positions from person to person due to the presence of underlying muscle in the face (e.g., the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS). Moreover, sleep wrinkles have a tendency to deepen and become more permanent over time with repeated side and stomach sleeping.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an easily transportable, generally inexpensive device that is designed to be worn on the head of an individual to promote remaining on the back while sleeping, resting, or in other situations where a person is seeking to avoid or minimize the pressure that may otherwise be applied to certain areas of the face, such as the cheek(s) and forehead.
As described in greater detail below, and with reference to
At the same time, while generally deterring an individual from rolling from a back sleeping position to a side sleeping position, the stabilizers of the device are also designed to allow for comfortable (albeit limited) lateral movement of the head and body while maintaining back sleeping. In addition, the device is configured to stay in place on the user's head in the event that the user gets out of bed for any reason (e.g., to use the bathroom or get a glass of water) and does not require readjustment upon the user's return to bed, thereby promoting a quick and easy return to sleep for the user.
Although the examples described herein relate to a user who is sleeping on a flat, horizontal sleep surface, such as a bed, mattress, or floor, embodiments of the device may be used for limiting lateral movement of the user's head when sleeping on other, non-horizontal sleep surfaces. Embodiments of the device may, for example, be worn by a user who is sleeping in a chair, such as a recliner, a sofa, a car seat, an airplane seat, or other chairs or seating surface. In such cases, the stabilizers described above would make engaging contact with the surface of the chair on which the user is resting his or her head to limit movement of the head. Thus, the lightweight and portable design of the device as described herein facilitates a user's sleep on a variety of surfaces and in a variety of lower body positions (e.g., lying down or sitting), as well as facilitating a user's transition between different sleep surfaces while wearing the device without requiring readjustment of the device (e.g., as the user moves from a recliner in which he dozed off while watching television to his bed, or vice versa).
A device 100 is shown in
Similarly, the connecting member 120 may be made in various configurations (e.g., sizes and shapes) and may use various materials in its construction. In the example depicted in
In some embodiments, the connecting member 120 may comprise multiple layers and/or multiple portions. For example, in some cases, the connecting member 120 may comprise an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer may be a layer of material that is configured to contact the user's skin and/or hair. As such, the inner layer may be made of a smooth material, such as velvet. The outer layer, which may be positioned so as to face away from the user's skin/hair while in use, may be made of a more sturdy material, such as a grosgrain material. Other materials, including cotton, nylon, and other woven and non-woven fabrics made of cellulosic and/or synthetic fibers and/or recycled or recyclable materials, may also be used, alone or in combination with the materials described above, in a single-layer or a multi-layer configuration. In addition, in some cases, the connecting member 120 may include a single- or multi-layer portion(s) connected to the first and/or second stabilizers 105, 110 and having respective free ends that are connected to each other to form the closed loop of material via a portion of elastic material. The use of at least a portion of elastic material may thereby allow the size of the connecting member 120 to have some degree of adjustability to fit different head sizes, while still securely engaging the user's head.
In other embodiments, not shown, the connecting member 120 may only extend between the first and second stabilizers 105, 110, rather than all the way around the user's head. In such cases, the connecting member 120 may be made of a more rigid material, such as a polymer material (plastic) or other suitable material that is configured to remain in place on the user's head without extending 360° around the head. In still other embodiments, the connecting member 120 may be made of the same or similar material as the first and second stabilizers 105, 110, such as out of closed cell compressed foam, gel, silicone, etc. Regardless of whether the connecting member 120 is formed in a partial or continuous loop, the connecting member may be configured to have different widths and/or lengths, such as to accommodate different head sizes and/or different user comfort preferences.
Each of the first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may comprise a head engaging surface 130 (the underside in the view shown in
The first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may, in some cases, be configured in the shape of a triangular prism, as depicted in the figures. In other embodiments, however, the first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may be formed in any shape that includes a bulge portion and is conducive to discouraging lateral movement of the user's head and/or otherwise elevating the user's face from the sleep surface in the event the user assumes a side sleeping position. For example, the first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may, in some cases, have a dome shape, a semi-circular shape, a trapezoidal prism shape, a pyramidal shape, and so on.
In
Turning now to
The protruding insert 172 may, in such cases, be made of the same material as the body 160, while in other cases may be made of a different material. For example, in some embodiments, both the body 160 and the protruding insert 172 may be made of closed cell compressible foam, but may still be formed separately and attached as described above. In other cases, however, the material of the protruding insert 172 may be selected to impart additional support and/or extension of the respective stabilizer 105, 110, such as to elevate the user's face to keep it from contacting the sleep surface (e.g., should side sleeping occur) and/or to decrease the range of lateral head motion available to the user. The protruding insert 172 may, for example, be made of a woven plastic mesh material that is more rigid and less deformable than the body 160, which may be made of closed cell compressible foam. Moreover, in some embodiments, the protruding insert 172 may be configured such that it extends outwardly past an outer surface 164 of the body 160, thereby increasing the overall height H of the stabilizer 105, 110.
With reference to
In some embodiments the first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may be configured to be movably secured to the connecting member 120, such that a position of each of the first and second stabilizers is adjustable with respect to the connecting member. For example, hook and loop fasteners may be used in some cases to secure the connecting member 120 to the first and second stabilizers 105, 110, as shown in
In other embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in
In other embodiments, the first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may be movably secured to the connecting member 120 in other ways, such as using snaps, buttons, hooks, or other fastening mechanisms. In such cases, regardless of how they are secured, by allowing each stabilizer 105, 110 to be positionable at various locations along the connecting member 120, as desired by the user, the first and second stabilizers may be configurable to be positioned proximate the user's parietal bone 20 or temporal bone 30 in some cases, while in other cases the first and second stabilizers may be configurable to be positioned proximate the user's cervical neck area 40 (see
With reference to
In still other embodiments, as described above, the positions of the first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may be fixed with respect to the connecting member 120, such that the user purchases the device 100 knowing that it is specifically designed to support the user's head and face via first and second stabilizers 105, 110 positioned proximal the parietal bone, the temporal bone, or the cervical bones, etc., but without the ability to switch between such positions. For example, the first and second stabilizers 105, 110 may, in some cases, be manufactured with the connecting member 120, such as in one continuous piece, or may be permanently attached to the connecting member 120, such as by stitching, application of heat, application of pressure, adhesive, or hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fastener), as described above.
Various modifications and/or additional features may be provided with or as part of the device 100 described above without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the first and second stabilizers may be manufactured using (at least in part) a disposable nonwoven material and/or a reusable or recyclable item.
Moreover in some cases, the device may have additional fragrance added, such as for purposes of soothing the user, providing a more pleasant sleep experience, providing a therapy, etc. As noted above, one or more of the materials used to make the device 100 may be washable; some of the materials may be disposable; and at least some of the materials may be antimicrobial. The device may be manufactured using a variety of textures, colors, and styles, so as to allow for individual preferences and styles, as well as for specialized use, such as in hospitals.
Embodiments of the device described above may thus provide a lightweight, sleek design that is attractive, yet small to allow heat to escape from the user's head. As a result, embodiments of the device may be able to be worn comfortably by men and women experiencing hot flashes due to menopause, cancer treatments or hormone imbalances, as well as other conditions.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Claims
1. A device configured to be worn on a user's head during sleeping, the device comprising:
- first and second stabilizers, wherein each of the first and second stabilizers comprises a head engaging surface configured to be disposed proximate the user's head and a bulge portion extending outwardly from the head engaging surface; and
- a connecting member extending at least between the first and second stabilizers, wherein the first and second stabilizers are supported by the connecting member such that, when the device is worn by the user and the user is positioned with the user's back on a sleep surface, the first and second stabilizers are disposed on opposite sides of the user's head and limit lateral movement of the user's head to promote back sleeping.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second stabilizers comprises a closed cell compressed foam.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second stabilizers comprises a body and a protruding portion.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the body defines a channel and the protruding portion comprises a protruding insert that is received by and secured within the channel.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the protruding portion formed integrally with the body.
6. The device of claim 3, wherein the protruding portion extends outwardly past an outer surface of the body.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises a closed loop of material configured to be worn around the user's head.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises an elastic material.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises multiple layers of material.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second stabilizers are configured to be movably secured to the connecting member, such that a position of each of the first and second stabilizers is adjustable with respect to the connecting member.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first and second stabilizers are configurable to be positioned proximate the user's parietal, proximate the user's temporal bone, or proximate the user's cervical neck area.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second stabilizers is encased within a covering.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the covering comprises a sleeve configured to receive a portion of the connecting member therethrough for attaching a respective stabilizer to the connecting member.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second stabilizers defines a sleeve configured to receive a portion of the connecting member therethrough for attaching a respective stabilizer to the connecting member.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second stabilizers comprises a triangular prism shape.
16. A method of manufacturing a head accessory to promote back sleeping, the method comprising:
- forming a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer, wherein each of the first and second stabilizers comprises a head engaging surface configured to be disposed proximate the user's head and a bulge portion extending outwardly from the head engaging surface; and
- engaging a connecting member to the first and second stabilizers such that the first and second stabilizers are supported by the connecting member;
- wherein when the device is worn by a user and the user is positioned with the user's back on a sleep surface, the first and second stabilizers are disposed on opposite sides of the user's head and limit lateral movement of the user's head to promote back sleeping.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein forming each of the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer comprises forming a body and a protruding portion.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein forming each of the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer comprises defining a channel within the body and securing a protruding insert within the channel to form the protruding portion.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising applying a covering to at least one of the first or second stabilizers.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein applying the covering comprises defining a sleeve that is integral with or attached to the covering, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of the connecting member for engaging the connecting member the first and second stabilizers.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 10, 2016
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2018
Inventors: Virginia POROWSKI (Raleigh, NC), Mischell CHRISTMAS (Raleigh, NC), Melissa LEES (Raleigh, NC)
Application Number: 15/736,978