Multi-use eye mask or shield

Abstract

The invention comprises a thin flexible plastic sheet shaped to cover a users eyes and the user's face adjacent to the eyes. Left and right protrusions or recesses formed in the plastic sheet correspond in shape to respective eye sockets of the user. An adhesive portion placed on the interior surface of the plastic sheet attaches the mask to the user's face so that light reaching the eyes of the user is at least limited and can be excluded. The recessed embodiment is used during and after medical treatment of the eye or eyes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to providing a mask or shield for the protection or control of the environment affecting the human eyes. The mask or shield is a simple device to help cover the eyes when they would otherwise be in danger of being damaged or influence the health and well being of the user if left uncovered.

Some of the most common uses of an eye mask or shield include the blocking out of light during sleep, protecting of an eye after surgery and protection against certain environmental conditions such as sand, dust and snow. Complete prevention of light transmission to the user helps one sleep. However, the mask should be attached to the user's face and kept from shifting which may occur during sleep by contact with a pillow. Prevention of a shift during sleep has been solved by attaching the sleep mask with an adhesive. Typical patents that disclose a protective mask or light shield held in place by an adhesive include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,092,103; 4,122,847; 4,331,136; 6,984,037; 7107,990; 7,188,946; 7,275,819; 7,748,387; 7,774,858; and D425,623. Generally speaking, a contact inner adhesive surface secures the periphery of the protective mask or shield to the face of the user. The art generally uses one component for the face attachment and another to shield the eyes.

The softness and pliability of a mask or shield allows it to conform to the face contours and maintain a tight seal against light or liquids. Materials should have softness and pliability as well as odor absorbency and porosity. The better a mask or shield breathes the longer it remains fresh and comfortable on the face of the user. The mask or shield should comprise a flexible main portion which is preferably soft when lying across the forehead, around the eyes and upper cheeks, overlying the temples and over the nose bridge.

A further use of a protective mask or shield is to provide a controlled sight device. This mask or shield can have an opaque first eye cover and an apertured second eye cover. This is useful in training solders, students or patients to become acclimated to sight impairment, to simulate tunnel vision or in the treatment of amblyopia. Other applications have both eye covers with apertures. The apertures may be one or a plurality of holes or slits in the eye cover portion of the mask or shield. Typical patents that disclose a controlled site device held in place by an adhesive include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,006; 6,826,784; and D466,610.

Other eye patches or shields applying pressure to eye for medical treatment are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,068,863; 3,952,735; 4,134,401; 4,411,263; 4,635,625; 4,649,908; 4,682,371; 4,951,658; 5,389,066; 5,769,806; 6,090,060; 6,320,094; 7,584,754; and D473,947. These generally show a patch affixed to a patient' face by a pressure-sensitive, latex-free and hypoallergenic adhesive.

A need exists to provide a single design for an eye mask or shield which can be easily adapted and used for any one of these various applications. The design should be lightweight, inexpensive, disposable and easily stored prior to being placed on the face of the user.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a low cost eye mask or shield using soft foamed plastic that is pliable, can be formed to the shape of the face around the eyes with comfort and easily stored and put into service by the user. The mask or shield should also be easy to remove and disposable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye mask with protrusions or convex portions that allow movement of the users eyelids and eyelashes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the sleep mask with materials which have opacity, odor and moisture absorbency and porosity.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an eye shield with convex portions that have apertures for limited vision when air borne particles are present in the ambient air or to provide a controlled sight device for training solders, students and patients to become acclimated to sight impairment or limited visibility environments.

A further object of the present invention is to invert the eye mask to provide an eye shield for medical use with at least one recessed or concave portion to make contact with the users eyelids when used with a gauze pad.

Yet a further object of the invention is to be able to remove a portion of the eye shield or mask so that the remaining portion is used for one eye only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some of the above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing an eye mask to limit the light transmitted to the eyes of a user for sleeping and the like. The invention comprises a thin flexible plastic sheet shaped to cover the user's eyes and the users face adjacent to the eyes. The sheet has an interior surface adjacent to the face and an opposite exterior surface. An adhesive portion placed on the interior surface of the plastic sheet attaches the mask to said users face so that light reaching the eyes of the user is at least limited and can be excluded. In one aspect of the invention left and right protrusions formed in the plastic sheet extend outward from the users face to generally correspond in shape to respective eye sockets of the user.

In a second embodiment of the invention the eye mask partially blocks the ambient air and light transmitted to the eyes of a user for protection against airborne particles, for limited sight training and the like. The thin flexible plastic sheet with left and right protrusions is the same as in the first embodiment. The left and right protrusions formed in the plastic sheet again extend outward from the user's face. However, small openings are made in the protrusions to allow limited or controlled vision and provide a controlled sight device. Once again, the adhesive portion is placed on the same interior surface around an outer periphery of said foam sheet as in the first embodiment.

In a third embodiment of the invention the eye mask is simply inverted to provide an eye shield to protect at least one eye of a user during and/or after medical treatment and the like. The exterior surface of the first embodiment becomes the interior surface and the plastic sheet protrusions become recesses extending inward toward the user's face. The recesses generally correspond in shape to respective eye sockets of the user. The thin flexible plastic sheet with left and right recesses is of the same material as in the first embodiment. Generally speaking, one of either the left side recess or the right side recess formed in said plastic sheet is needed. The recess not required can be removed or the shield can be bisected and only half of the shield is used; so the user can fully use the good eye. The adhesive portion is now placed on the opposite side as before (around an outer periphery of the foam sheet) for attaching the shield to said user's face.

Additional applications are also realized within the scope of this invention. Applications include providing a eye mask for training people to become accustom to limited vision in preparation for less vision or to simulate night vision.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of a user with the eye mask of this invention properly placed over both eyes and attached to the areas around the eye by an adhesive;

FIG. 1B is a rear side elevation view of the mask of FIG. 1A showing a mask attachment portion, including the adhesive, along the outer periphery of the inner side of the mask;

FIG. 1C is a front elevation view of a user with the eye mask of FIG. 1A including protrusions in the mask at both eye sockets to allow unobstructed movement of the user's eyelids and eyelashes;

FIG. 2 is a front side elevation view of the eye mask of FIG. 1C of this invention having right and left eye protrusions;

FIG. 3 is a rear side elevation view of the mask of FIG. 2 showing mask attachment portion along the outer periphery of the mask;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mask of FIG. 2 showing the mask being formed to fit the user's face and including possible apertures in the form of slots or circular holes in the one or both eye protrusions;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mask of FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention being an eye shield formed to fit the users face and including a recess for one eye and an aperture for the other eye;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the eye shield of FIG. 6 taken alone line 7-7 in FIG. 6 showing a recess and a gauze pad;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially folded eye mask of FIG. 1A having been removed from a point-of-sale packet; and

FIG. 9 is an end view of seven masks of FIG. 2 having been placed together and place in a plastic wrap for sale.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. In the front elevation view of FIG. 1A an eye mask of the invention is placed on the face of the user. The eye mask 20 has a main mask portion 22 made of a flexible sheet. The mask portion fits around the left and right eye sockets 12 of the user 10 and extends over the lower forehead, above the eyebrows, across the nose bridge to both lateral temples and under both eyes along the upper cheeks. In this first embodiment the mask can be made opaque to serve as a sleeping mask. The material used should at least limit light transmission to the eyes of the user. A plastic or fabric material with adequate flexibility can be used. Reference to the flexible sheet means either a plastic or a fabric material. However, an open-celled plastic foam is best for good porosity to prevent build-up of moisture behind flexible sheet 22 and amassing of odors. This problem is partially solved in this invention by keeping the cost of the mask relatively low so the mask can be disposed of and replaced frequently.

The eye mask shields both eyes and does not require straps or bands. The eye mask is soft and pliable to fit the contours of the user's face, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1C. The preferred material for main mask portion 22 should have pliability, odor and moisture absorbency and porosity. The preferred flexible sheet material is preferably a soft sponge-like material of foamed or expanded synthetic resin such as flexible polyether, polyethylene foam, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polystyrene foam. The sheet material is opaque for a sleeping mask and preferably flesh colored for applications where rest and sleep in a public place is desirable without drawing attention, such as an airport terminal building.

The mask is held in place by an attachment portion 30 on the interior surface 22b of the mask, as shown in FIG. 1B. This interior surface is in contact with the face of the user and is attached to the user's face by a mask attachment portion 30. The mask attachment portion covers the outer periphery of main mask portion 22. The mask attachment portion preferably comprises a two-sided medical grade adhesive tape 32 covered by a release layer 34. An exterior side of the adhesive tape attaches the mask attachment portion to main mask portion 22. The other interior side of the adhesive tape, the exposed portion of the adhesive tape, is covered by a release layer 34. The eye mask is attached to the user's face by the user after removing the release layer and pressing the eye mask on their face.

The adhesive tape materials commonly used in the industry are 3-M brand double coated medical tapes *1512 and #1522 or #1530 and #15301 designed for temporary adhesion to the skin. In another aspect of the invention, an FDA approved medical grade adhesive can be applied to the inner surface of main mask portion 22 around the peripheral interior edge to replace the tape. The peel away protective release layer 34 is any commonly used waxed paper providing limited adhesion to the adhesive. The release layer is configured to cover the exposed adhesive so the eye masks will not stick to foreign objects prior to use. In another aspect of the invention, the adhesive and the release layer can be configured to cover the entire interior side 22b of the eye mask to help maintain a sanitary mask. To help provide a sanitary mask when needed, a packaging means is provided in the form of a packet 50 for a single mask or a plastic wrap 60 for a number of masks. These packaging means are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and discussed later.

In an important aspect of the invention both a left eye protrusion 24 and a right eye protrusion 26 are formed in the foam sheet to extend outward from the face, as shown in FIG. 1C. This convex shape allows movement of the user's eyelids and eyelashes without contacting the mask. The front and rear elevation views of the eye mask 20 with protrusions are shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 respectively. Once again, main mask portion 22 includes a forehead portion 35 lateral tab portions 23, a nose bridge 28 and upper cheek portions 29. Right eye protrusion 24 and left eye protrusion 26 extend outward like a bubble from an exterior surface 22a of the mask portion. The eye projections 24 and 26 are formed integrally in the sheet material used for the main mask portion. The length and width of the eye mask allows the eye protrusions to fit over the eye sockets of the user without the addition of other components, such as a lens. This is a unique feature of this invention which keeps the cost of the eye mask at a relatively low value.

The perspective view of FIG. 4 illustrates how main mask portion 22 can be deformed to form eye mask 20. The eye mask is installed on the user's face when lateral tabs 23 make contact with the user's temples when the nose bridge 28 makes contact with the upper part of the user's nose. Forehead portion 25 is now in contact with the lower forehead of the user and cheek portions 29 are in contact with the user's upper cheeks. Having removed the release layer prior the steps above, the eye mask is secured to the face of the user by pressure applied around the peripheral edge of the eye mask.

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 shows how the right eye protrusion 24 is formed in main mask portion 22 of the eye mask. This view is taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4. The right eye protrusion extends outward from exterior surface 22a of the main mask portion. The eye protrusion provides a lash offset distance “L” for inner surface 22b. This distance provides clearance between the eye lid and eye lashes when using the eye mask. The protrusion shown has a partial outer flat surface profile. Other shapes are also within the scope of this invention, such as a spherical bubble shape. Mask attachment portion 30 is placed on the interior side opposite the protrusion and adjacent the user's face for this first embodiment of the invention. The flat profile of the first embodiment discussed above is preferred for stacking the eye masks.

In a second embodiment of the invention, apertures can be formed in right and/or left eye protrusions 24 and 26 respectively, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 4. The preferred apertures can be in the form of slots 27a or circular holes 27b. The slot aperture in one protrusion simulates “tunnel vision” in that eye and blindness in the opaque protrusion of the other eye. Therefore, the eye mask becomes a controlled sight device. A trainee becomes acclimated to sight impairment and learns to employ the skills necessary during sight impairment. (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,826,784). In addition, some people cannot sleep with total darkness. Therefore, the slot or apertures can solve this problem by allowing limited light to pass through the mask.

For the purpose of future discussions the previous discussion of the first and second embodiments of the invention used the term “eye mask” to describe the invention. The eye mask refers to the main embodiment and that with eye protrusions 24 and 26 for convex shapes extending from the face of the user. In a third embodiment, discussed below, main mask portion 22 has been reversed and the protrusions have become recessed portions being a concave shape with respect to the face of the user. Therefore, the first and second embodiments used the term “eye mask” to describe the invention where this third embodiment uses the term “eye shield”. This third embodiment is more likely to be used for medical applications of the invention where most of the art discloses a shield rather than a mask.

The main mask portion 22 of FIG. 4 has been formed in the opposite direction to provide an eye shield 40, as illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 6. This perspective view illustrates how main shield portion 42 can be deformed to form eye shield 40. The eye shield is installed on the user's face when lateral tabs 43 make contact with the user's temples when the nose bridge 48 makes contact with the upper part of the user's nose. Forehead portion 45 is now in contact with the lower forehead of the user above the eyebrows and cheek portions 49 are in contact with the user's upper cheeks. The protrusions now become a right eye recess 44 and a left eye recess (not shown). In one aspect of the third embodiment this configuration of the eye shield protects both eyes from corneal abrasion and liquids contacting the delicate eyes during surgery. However, many medical applications of this embodiment will be to apply a pressure bandage to only one eye after surgery. This is illustrated in FIG. 6 by removing the left eye recess and providing a left eye aperture 56 so the user can have unobstructed vision with the left eye. This configuration can also be used for treating amblyopia (see U.S. Pat. No. D466,610). The recess and aperture can be reversed if the left eye is the eye needing the shield. In addition, the eye shield can be bisected along line “C” to provide a single eye shield similar to those in the art. (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,320,094; 6,090,060; 5,769,806; 5,389,066; 4,682,371; and 3,092,103).

In this third embodiment the attachment portion 30 has been moved to the opposite side of eye shield 40, as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 In addition, a gauze pad 60 can be used to apply the required pressure to the eye. The thickness of the gauze pad can be selected to obtain the desired eye pressure. Once again the attachment portion has adhesive tape 32 protected by release layer 34 prior to use. A nose bridge portion 36 can also be added.

Packaging means of this invention can assist the user in providing a sanitary mask or shield and having the mask or shield available when needed. Two possible packaging means are disclosed as follows. A single mask is folded in the center and placed in a packet 50, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The packet can be made of a plastic, paper or metal foil. A similar packaging concept is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,107,990 to protect humans in an emergency. A number of masks can be nestled together and placed in a plastic wrap or foil, as illustrated in FIG. 9. This is a desirable packaging means when someone is on a vacation or a business trip for a few days. A mask of this invention used for sleeping is relatively low in cost and can economically be disposed of after use.

In yet another embodiment of the invention left and right eye protrusions can be formed of a transparent plastic material and cast integrally with the opaque main mask portion. Alternately, the left and right protrusions of the thin flexible plastic foam sheet material can be processed to form a solid clear plastic bubble that allows the user to have visual clarity. Therefore, the eye mask can have many other uses as a multi-use mask in addition to those herein disclosed.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms and a particular prior art reference, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An eye mask system to limit the light transmitted to the eyes of a user for sleeping and the like comprising:

a thin and flexible sheet shaped to cover the users eyes and the user's face adjacent to the eyes having an interior surface adjacent to said face and an opposite exterior surface;

an adhesive portion placed on said interior surface of said plastic sheet for attaching the mask to the user's face, wherein light reaching the eyes of the user is at least limited;

a material of said flexible sheet made to have opacity, odor and moisture absorbency and porosity, wherein the eye mask is economically disposable; and

a packaging means to assist the user in keeping the mask sanitary prior to use and readily available when needed.

2. The mask of claim 1 wherein said flexible sheet is made of a foamed or expanded synthetic resin like material being one of either a flexible polyether, a polyethylene, a polystyrene foam or a foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

3. The mask of claim 2 wherein said adhesive portion is located around the outer periphery of the mask and includes a double-coated adhesive tape of medical grade, designed for temporary adhesion to the skin, covered by a release layer of wax coated paper which is removed prior to attachment.

4. The eye mask of claim 4 wherein light is excluded from both eyes of the user.

5. The eye mask of claim 1 including left and right protrusions formed in said plastic sheet to extend outward from the users face and generally corresponding in shape to respective eye sockets of the user.

6. The eye mask of claim 5 wherein at least one of said left protrusion and said right protrusion includes an aperture in said protrusion to provide a controlled sight device.

7. The eye mask of claim 6 wherein both left and right protrusions have an elongated slot aperture to provide a limited sight capability for the eyes.

8. The eye mask of claim 6 wherein both left and right protrusions have a plurality of circular apertures to provide a limited sight capability for the eyes.

9. An eye mask to partially block the ambient air and light transmitted to the eyes of a user for protection against airborne particles, sight training and the like comprising:

a thin flexible sheet shaped to cover the user's eyes and the users face adjacent to the eyes having an interior surface adjacent to the face and an opposite exterior surface;

left and right protrusions formed in said flexible sheet extending outward from the users face and generally corresponding in shape to respective eye sockets of the user, wherein small apertures are made in said protrusions and provide a controlled sight device; and

an adhesive portion placed on said interior surface of said flexible sheet around an outer periphery of the eye mask for attaching the mask to the users face.

10. The eye mask of claim 9 wherein said flexible sheet is made of a foamed or expanded synthetic resin like material being one of either a flexible polyether, a polyethylene, a polystyrene foam or a foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

11. The eye mask of claim 10 wherein said flexible sheet material has opacity, odor and moisture absorbency and porosity, wherein said flexible sheet is easily disposable.

12. The eye mask of claim 9 wherein said left and right protrusions each include an elongated slot aperture to allow user mobility while limiting particle damage to the eyes.

13. The eye mask of claim 9 wherein said left and right protrusions each include a plurality of circular apertures to allow user mobility while limiting particle damage to the eyes.

14. An inverted eye mask of claim 5 forming an eye shield to protect at least one eye of a user during and after medical treatment and the like comprising:

a left side recess and a right side recess formed in said plastic sheet extending inward toward the user's face and generally corresponding in shape to respective eye sockets of the user, wherein a recess for an eye not requiring medical treatment can be removed; and

a material of said flexible sheet material having opacity, odor and moisture absorbency and porosity, and wherein the eye shield is hypoallergenic.

15. The eye shield of claim 14 wherein said flexible sheet is made of a foamed or expanded synthetic resin like material being one of either a flexible polyether, a polyethylene, a polystyrene foam or a foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

16. The eye shield of claim 14 wherein said adhesive portion includes a double-coated adhesive tape of medical grade, designed for temporary adhesion to the skin, covered by a release layer of wax coated paper which is removed prior to attachment.

17. The eye shield of claim 14 wherein both left and right recesses are provided for medical treatment of both eyes at the same time.

18. The eye shield of claim 14 wherein one of either said left side recess or said right side recess is removed to allow the user to fully use the eye not needing medical treatment, and including a gauze pad placed between the user's eyelid and the recessed plastic sheet to apply the required pressure to the eye needing treatment.

19. The eye shield of claim 14 wherein the foam sheet is bisected and that half of the plastic sheet used for the eye not needing medical treatment is discarded.