Sleep Mask
A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, comprising a face portion configured for covering an area of the wearer's face generally bounded by the wearer's forehead, beneath the wearer's eyes, and across the wearer's nose bridge, a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion, and a pair of relatively rigid side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion in a position substantially perpendicular to the face portion, whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.
This application claims priority and is entitled to the filing date of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/114,789 filed Nov. 14, 2008, and entitled “Sleep Mask.” The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated by reference herein.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEApplicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications cited or referred to in this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of this invention relate generally to sleep masks, and more particularly to an improved sleep mask that substantially protects against damage to the wearer's eyelashes or eyelash extensions.
2. Description of Related Art
In the art, many people who have eyelash extensions or other work done to their eyelashes often complain about the condition of their lashes upon awakening from several hours of sleep. One key to good eyelash or eyelash extension maintenance is no rubbing, touching, or pulling, which of course is difficult to prevent during sleep. Many people then may have trouble sleeping or resting well during the night for fear of damaging their lashes while being unconscious, such as by turning their heads while asleep or by side sleeping.
Traditional sleep masks are inadequate for solving this problem, as they apply direct pressure to the lash area or otherwise do not support the body of the mask away from the wearer's lashes, particularly when side sleeping, thus damaging the lashes or extensions and causing premature lash loss.
The following art defines the present state of this field:
G.B. Patent No. 517,113 to Findlay discloses a face mask and/or eye protector for use when washing the hair to prevent soapy water from entering the eyes and to protect artificial make up, the mask comprising a pouch of waterproof material removably enclosing a pad of absorbent material exposed through a single opening in one side of the pouch, the said opening being large enough to extend over both eyes of the wearer, and the ends of the pouch being attached to the opposite ends of a one-piece elastic band of such length that the pad will be pressed against the eyes of the wearer when the band is passed around the back of the wearer's head. The pouch is preferably made from two sheets of material seamed at their peripheral edges to a distance. Alternatively the pouch may be made from one sheet of material folded twice. A modification comprises a backing sheet with two pockets one at either end.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,847 to Craig discloses a protective eye shield for patients during surgery comprising a flexible face mask, preferably soft, foamed plastic, for lying across the patient's brow or forehead, around the eyes and upper cheeks, and across the nose bridge, and having a pair of openings covered by transparent eye covers secured to the mask member, and a contact adhesive inner surface for securing the periphery of the mask to the face of the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,628 to Funk discloses an invention providing eye-protecting shields or chambers that are sealed against the facial skin by an adhesive pliable foam or sponge rubber layer about a face conforming flange with a bulbous clear portion not touching eyelids or the eyelashes. The shields can be ventilated to the atmosphere through a planar flap outwardly of a flat cutout adjacent an outer corner of an eye. Access to the eye may be secured via openable flap for the introduction of medicaments to the eye. In a specific embodiment the access to environmental air may be controlled by a selective access valve and a moisture or medicant pad may be carried by the flap inwardly of the shield. A releasable catch between the flap and the bulbous portion permits self-closing and retention of the flap. A pair of shields with an elastic member therebetween provides a pair of spectacles which may include an elastic or adjustable headband with releasable fastener(s).
J.P. Patent Application Publication No. 2001-178764 to Sachikazu et al. discloses an eye mask comfortable to eyes and properly applicable thereto for giving stimulus to temples and satisfactorily removing the fatigue of the eyes. A flat main bag portion for covering eyes and subsidiary bag portions for covering temples are mounted on a face with a band. An upper bag for an upper lid and a lower bag for an lower lid in the main bag portion, and the subsidiary bag portions are filled with a number of far infrared radiating particulate matters. An eyelash storage recessed portion and a pupil storage recessed portion are also provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,900 to Bove et al. discloses an eye mask or face mask incorporating sources of spatially alternating yet static magnetic fields that provides magneto-therapy to the eyes and/or face. In one embodiment, an eye mask is provided that has an opaque eye plate and opaque rearwardly projecting cushion about its perimeter. A sheet of alternating magnetic material provides alternating magnetic fields when travel is made in any direction. The eye mask may be attached to the face by elastic straps or other means which may be adjusted for comfort. The perimeter cushion serves to hold the eye mask away from the eyes and projecting eyelashes of the wearer so that greater comfort is achieved. The opaque nature of both the eye plate and the cushion serves to keep light out, allowing the eyes to enjoy a dark environment, especially appropriate for sleep. The eye mask may be worn during lengthy periods of repose such as sleeping. In an alternative embodiment, a face mask incorporating alternating magnetic field forces may have optional eye apertures as well as nose and mouth apertures. Elastic straps serve to hold the face mask to the wearer's face. Alternative embodiments of sources of alternating magnetic fields may be achieved through the use of magnets in a triangular or square checkerboard pattern or alternating patterns of circle-centered toroids having alternating magnetic fields.
PCT Patent Application Publication No. 2004/019727 to Song discloses a disposable adhesive shampoo mask that prevents water from dripping on the face during shampooing providing sanitation and comfort using aromatic oil for mental health. The present disposable adhesive shampoo mask is an ecologically and biologically harmless invention embodying unique characteristics such as a mouth-cover, handle, eye-cover, slit, absorbing layer of outside, absorbing layer of inside, and glue.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,397 to Magidson discloses an eye shade including a first side connected to an intermediate layer. A second side is connected to the intermediate layer. A first outer eye portion and a second outer eye portion are formed from the first side, the intermediate layer and the second side. The first and second outer eye portions extend outward. The first outer eye portion and the second outer eye portion are convex shaped.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,774 to Hoyle discloses an eye shield sleeping device that has a strap, a pair of eye shields, a pair of ear covers, a timer, one or more speakers, a microphone, and a voice recognition system. The timer creates an awakening sound when the time on the timer expires. The sound is produced by the speaker mounted inside the ear cover. The user can control the device using commands issued to the voice recognition system. The device can be connected to a media and communication appliance, such as a cell phone, a computer, and a digital player, which can play through the speakers. The voice recognition system can also be used to control a connected appliance. The principal function of the device is to create a restful environment for the user for a controlled period of time. Anticipated applications include naps while traveling and in sleep rooms at work.
The prior art described above teaches various types of face masks for shielding the wearer's eyes from such things as light, soapy water, and surgical procedures, some of those masks even providing elevated eye portions so as not to interfere with the free movement of the wearer's eyelashes. However, the prior art does not teach a sleep mask configured for not interfering with the wearer's eyelashes, even when the wearer is side sleeping. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below.
Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a sleep mask configured for guarding the eyelashes or eyelash extensions of a wearer during sleep. In the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein, the mask is generally constructed having a round, dense foam lining around the interior surface of the mask and elevating it from the eyelash area, with the right and left sides of the mask having fabric- and/or foam-covered, soft plastic guards to provide further protection, preventing the eye area from resting upon the pillow or mattress even during side sleeping. Though a particular such sleep mask is disclosed, including its configuration and materials of construction, it will be appreciated that these details are merely for illustration of aspects of the invention and that a number of other shapes and materials and means of construction are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.
Another objective is to provide such an apparatus that protects against damage to the wearer's eyelashes or eyelash extensions while sleeping, even during side sleeping.
A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus that provides a sufficient amount of padding for the wearer's comfort.
Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings:
The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description.
Turning first to
Referring to
Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, wherein the covering material is formed on each of the components, namely, the face portion 20, the perimeter portion 40, and the side portions 50, these components may then be assembled as through a stitching process or any other such process now known or later developed to join at least two such components together. Moreover, the joining process may also involve the internal face portion frame 22 and side portion frame 52 for additional integrity and durability, whether the stitching passes through such plastic parts or the parts themselves are joined in some other manner, such as by being bonded, ultrasonically welded, or simply molded integrally, with the foam and/or fabric or other such materials then covering the unitary plastic internal structure that is the face portion frame 22 and side portion frame 52 in one or more finishing operations. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any appropriate materials and methods of construction now known or later developed may be employed in the mask 10 of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope.
With continued reference to
Turning now to
In the exemplary embodiment, the two face portion covering materials 28 are both satin; though it will be appreciated that a virtually infinite variety of covering materials, whether natural or synthetic and whether now known or later developed, may be employed in a sleep mask according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. As also shown in
With continued reference to
Referring now to
With continued reference to
Turning to
Similarly, as shown in
To summarize regarding the exemplary mask 10 of the present invention, it will be appreciated that a device is provided for protecting the wearer's eyelashes E or eyelash extensions during sleep by sufficiently spacing the mask 10 from the wearer's face F and by forming the mask 10 with supportive side portions 50 having reinforced frames 52 for maintaining the shape of the mask 10 even during side sleeping, whereby the eyelashes E are not inadvertently contacted during use and so are protected against premature lash loss or other damage. Because the principles of the invention may be practiced in a number of configurations of the sleep mask beyond that shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not in any way limited by the exemplary embodiment and is able to take numerous forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.
Claims
1. A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, the apparatus comprising:
- a face portion;
- a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion; and
- a pair of relatively rigid side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion in a position substantially perpendicular to the face portion;
- whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.
2. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 1 wherein the side portions are each further configured as substantially triangular wedges with a curvature generally corresponding to the wearer's head.
3. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 1 wherein the perimeter portion is a substantially round, dense, foam material.
4. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the face portion, perimeter portion, and side portions provide a covering material positioned over an underlying padded material for comfort.
5. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the face portion and side portions further comprises an internal frame configured for providing further structural support.
6. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of the internal frames provides a plurality of apertures configured for allowing heat exchange therethrough when the sleep mask is in use.
7. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a decorative overlay integral with an outer surface of the face portion.
8. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an edge material integral about a perimeter of the face portion.
9. The sleep mask apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a strap portion integral with the opposing left and right edges of the face portion, proximal the side portions.
10. A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, the apparatus comprising:
- a face portion configured for covering an area of the wearer's face generally bounded by the wearer's forehead, beneath the wearer's eyes, and across the wearer's nose bridge;
- a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion;
- a pair of relatively rigid side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion in a position substantially perpendicular to the face portion; and
- each of the face portion and side portions having an internal frame configured for providing further structural support;
- whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.
11. A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, the apparatus comprising:
- a face portion configured for covering an area of the wearer's face generally bounded by the wearer's forehead, beneath the wearer's eyes, and across the wearer's nose bridge;
- a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion;
- a pair of relatively rigid, substantially triangular-shaped side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion and extending distally therefrom in a substantially perpendicular direction, the side portions having a curvature generally corresponding to the sides of the wearer's head; and
- whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 13, 2009
Publication Date: May 20, 2010
Inventor: Noelle Elizabeth Luciano (Laguna Niguel, CA)
Application Number: 12/618,340