Cover
A cover is disclosed. An airtight and watertight covering defines a space with at least one opening configured to circumferentially accommodate a portion of a body of a wearer and includes a flex layer including a plurality of resiliently elastic, malleable and deformable strands. A first gasket includes a malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer communicatively provided within an inner surface of the airtight and watertight covering within the space. The first gasket is configured to form an airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body. The flex layer is deformable to allow the flex layer to transmute the magnitude of a force applied to the flex layer and to mitigate and to redirect the force respectively received against and away from the first gasket which thereby maintains the airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body.
This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/203,424, filed Nov. 28, 2018, pending, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/920,393, filed Mar. 13, 2018, abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,443, issued Apr. 17, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,107,737, issued Aug. 18, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/562,382, filed Nov. 21, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
COPYRIGHT NOTICENotice is hereby given that the following patent document contains original material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
FIELDThis invention pertains to covers and more particularly to covers designed to circumferentially accommodate a portion of a body of a wearer.
BACKGROUNDFor swimmers, finding goggles that properly fit and provide a watertight seal against the face is important. Unfortunately, it is estimated that approximately 50% of commonly worn goggles provide a watertight seal. While some goggles are designed to address the watertight problem by using seals made of gel material to create a watertight seal, these goggles do not address the problem of eye spacing variations and the anatomical facial differences of the users that cause poor fitting goggles.
For example, one variation is the distance between the user's pupils and eyes and orbital sockets. Some individuals have less distance between their pupils, eyes, and orbits compared to the norm, which is commonly known as hypotelerism. Other individuals have greater distance between their pupils, eyes, orbits compared to the norm, which is known as hypertelerism. Unfortunately, most goggles commonly available today are ‘one size fits all’ and have fixed length nosepieces that hold the eyepieces apart at a fixed distance for most wearers.
The primary purpose of a nosepiece on a goggle is to hold the two eyepieces in place over the users' eyes. While some goggles include nosepieces that enable the user to selectively adjust the distances between the eyepieces, they do not allow the eyepieces to be independently adjusted to conform to the adjacent eye socket or anatomical features.
SUMMARYThe current invention is a goggle that includes a strap configured to wrap around the user's head and two eyepieces affixed or mounted to the strap. Each eyepiece includes an outer transparent lens and a surrounding rigid or flexible frame. The two eyepieces, which may be made of rigid or flexible material, are coupled together by a nosepiece that allows the distances between the eyepieces to be adjusted and allows the eyepieces to independently flex and rotate over the eye socket and conform to the surrounding tissue. The nosepiece provides for some give and elasticity to allow the eyepieces to flex, move and conform to the user's facial contours.
The invention provides for the following characteristics: independent nosepiece that provides 3-axial movement; a conforming nosepiece; and an adjustable strap.
The nosepiece disclosed herein can have various shapes and various attachment means to the eyepieces or to the strap. In one embodiment, the nosepiece is made of one or more elastic strands that have the same or different elastic properties and lengths. The strands may be attached at its opposite ends to the eyepieces or to intermediate connectors that attach to the eyepieces.
The goggle may also include an optional sealing pad configured to press against and conform its shape to the user's skin around each eye to form a watertight seal. In one embodiment, the sealing layer is made of gel material. In another embodiment, the thickness of the sealing layer varies so that it is thinner and adjacent to the user's bridge and thicker along its outer edges.
It should also be understood, that the invention can also be used as a generic closure device that provides for flexibility and elasticity of the eyepieces. The closure device can but is not restricted to, a nosepiece such that the eyepieces can flex and move with the user's facial contours and movements and have a greater range of conformity than current joints. In one embodiment, the invention will be for use with living creatures to include but not restricted to humans and other animals but can also be used with inanimate objects. The closure device can also be used with a gel seal cast and wound cover. The closure device can help insure that the gel is fixed in place during vigorous activities, yet the closure can flex to conform to muscle contractions and expansions and can replace fixed compression closure devices that may reduce venous and arterial blood flow.
In another embodiment, the invention includes a flex layer which acts as a transitional layer between the goggle's rigid, semi-rigid or flexible frame and the sealing pad. The flex layer is designed to automatically adjust its shape to the orbit. The flex layer is composed of a material that is resiliently deformable and can expand or contract to the users face in a manner that differs from the sealing layer and the frame. The flex layer has characteristics that differ from the frame and the sealing pad.
Also disclosed herein is a tester used to assist the purchaser in choosing the ‘best fit’ goggle. The tester includes a gel in the shape of an obit that is pressure sensitive and designed to change color to display the degree of pressure and thickness required to create and airtight and watertight seal. When pressed against the orbit, the gel will change color at different pressure points. In one embodiment, the color displayed on the tester can then be compared to a color code that is printed on packaging. The consumer can then more reliably find a pair goggles that will likely conform to their face to form an airtight and watertight seal.
One embodiment provides a cover. An airtight and watertight covering defines a space with at least one opening configured to circumferentially accommodate a portion of a body of a wearer and includes a flex layer including a plurality of resiliently elastic, malleable and deformable strands. A first gasket includes a malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer communicatively provided within an inner surface of the airtight and watertight covering within the space. The first gasket is configured to form an airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body. The flex layer is deformable to allow the flex layer to transmute the magnitude of a force applied to the flex layer and to mitigate and to redirect the force respectively received against and away from the first gasket which thereby maintains the airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body.
Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein are described embodiments by way of illustrating the best mode contemplated. As will be realized, other and different embodiments are possible and the embodiments' several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from their spirit and the scope. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
Referring to
In
In
In another embodiment, a portion or all of the nosepiece (14) can be composed of the phase transitional materials and phase transitional slurry that can be macro-encapsulated or micro-encapsulated.
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In 2B and 2C, the nosepiece (14) can have various shapes and forms of attachment. The preferred embodiment is an annular nosepiece (14) that fits into an annular nosepiece attachment (11) that has a slit that allows the nosepiece to fit securely into the hollow of the annular eyepiece. The security of the nosepiece attachment (11) can be either by placing the nosepiece in a stretched and thinned position such that the nosepiece (14) will fit through the nosepiece (12) slit (5) and when the nosepiece (14) is in the non stretched position the nosepiece (14) diameter will be greater than the length of the nosepiece (14) slit. Another embodiment is a teacup—hook type (7) attachment. Variations in attachment entries can include but not restricted to a slit (5), teacup-hook-like configuration or gate-like entry (7), a straight (5) or a seripinginous channel (4), various geometric hook-like configurations (3) or a valve or flap (2) or any combination or these entries and configurations.
In
In
In
In
The elasticity can vary relative to its attachment position on the eyepiece. The nosepiece (14) can be more elastic near the center of the nosepiece (14) away from the eyepiece (12). The nosepiece (14) elasticity can be more elastic near the eyepiece (12). The nosepiece (14) elasticity can be a combination of more elastic near the center away from the eyepiece (12) and near the eyepiece.
In
In
In
In
In
The connector (30) can form a joint connection (30) for one or multiple items or devices that can but is not restricted to strapping or attaching or fixating one item to include but not restricted to a strap (52) to another item that can include but is not restricted to a human structure to include but not restricted to an appendage to include but not restricted to a leg (50) which in turn can be affixed to another item to include but not restricted to a urinary catheter tube (48). The connector can have the properties to include but not restricted to expanding (54), contracting (56) or flexing (40). The joint connector (30) can be attached directly to the item or it can be attached to the items with a joint connector attachment (41).
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
Current static closures put the stress on the object being closed and not on the closure device. In this invention the closure device adjusts and absorbs the burden of movement.
In goggles with an independent eyepiece, the nosepieces demonstrate little to no elasticity or flexibility or ability to stretch. There is a goggle uni-body, one piece goggle in which the entire goggle is made of a more flexible material and this goggle is made by AquaSphere, Inc, (see Aqua Sphere Kaiman Goggle Smoke Lens) Despite the fact that this nosepiece is more elastic, it is not adjustable and the eyepiece frame is not rigid. The pre-determined length and stretch of the manufacturer limits the nosepiece and goggle.
In this specification, the user can choose from a series of bands or strands that can have different lengths and/or can have different abilities to stretch and/or can have different elasticity and/or can have variable elasticity within the bands or strands and/or any combination of these element. In turn, the user can select from the multiple bands or strands. The user can then select from these multiple bands or strands to create the optimal fit for the users face/skin or contours of the body. The choices of multiple strands, allows the user to adjust the eyepieces of the goggles and/or seal to fit the specific and particular unique features user's face/skin or contours of the body and to create a best-fit goggle and seal. By using one or more than one band or strand the user can adjust the goggle seal to fit the user's face by adjusting the ability of the nosepiece to stretch and flex. This stretching and this flexibility can occur in three different axes. Using one or more than one band or strand of differing lengths and differing elasticity and differing and variable stretching ability and variable flexibility, the nosepiece effectively takes on a continuous elasticity and flexibility and ability to stretch. As a result the user can choose from one or more than one band to find the best fit seal based on the stretch for flexibility or elasticity that proves most effective for that particular user to create the most effective seal and best-fit goggle. “The plethora of possible adjustments to the nosepiece described above results, for all practical purposes, in the amount of stretch of the nosepiece being continuously adjustable by the user.”
The nosepiece can have variable elasticity either by using one strand that has a variable amount of elasticity built into one portion of that strand or band. In one embodiment to include but not restricted to a strand or band being more elastic in the lateral position/near the eyepieces than the region that is centrally located within the band or strand and positioned between the eyepieces. In one embodiment the nosepiece can be made more variable by using materials that are more elastic at the margins of the strand or band. In another embodiment the elasticity can be variable by altering the thickness of the strand or band. In another embodiment the elasticity can be variable by altering the geometric shape or configuration of the strand or band. In another embodiment multiple strands for bands can be used to alter the variable elasticity of nosepiece. In this embodiment the nosepiece variable elasticity can include but is not restricted to having one or more than one additional bands or strands which are composed in the manner in which that or those particular strands or bands can have different elasticity, what thickness, or laying than other bands or strands.
In current goggles with independent eyepieces there is little to no ability for the user to adjust the nosepiece or eyepiece in the X-axis or horizontal plane. There is also little to no ability for the nosepiece or eyepieces of the goggles to adjust in the other Y and Z axes, the anterior-posterior and cranial-caudal axis, respectively. When the head-strap places pressure and stretch on the goggles relative to the face/skin the current nosepieces provide little to no ability of the eyepieces to move independently and adjust to the facial contours and asymmetries. Since the vast majority of humans have asymmetric face/skins, and asymmetric and variable contours to their facial profile and orbital depth and cheek prominence and zygomatic prominence, it would be beneficial if the eyepieces had the ability to move independent of each other in all three axes. This would improve the watertight fit and would reduce the pressure of the goggle seal on the skin. By creating a nosepiece that can move and adjust in all three planes the goggle seal and the comfort of the goggle on the users face/skin can be improved simultaneously. The current embodiment nosepiece invention serves this need.
Although there are one-piece uni-body, one piece, continuous eyepiece and nosepiece goggles which can include one-piece straps that are flexible these goggles and the flexibility of the unit are pre-determined by the manufacturer and have a fixed or a fixed or limited range of pre-determined specifications. The goggle's ability to adjust to the user is evident by studies that show the typical goggle is truly comfortable and watertight in only 50 to 60% of users because of the limited range of adjustments and movements of the goggle eyepieces and nosepieces and straps provided by any individual the goggle maker and the specific goggle specifications manufactured and purchased.
The independent Dynamic 3-Axis Motion Nosepiece and Connector allows a new broader range and latitude of flexibility and adaptability of the goggle seals for the eyepieces. It allows for new designs in the seal that can adjust more comfortably and effectively to each user's face/skin. Some examples include but are not restricted to an example if a user has a pair of goggles that leaks on the outside current goggles require the strap to be drawn tighter so that more compressive force is generated by the goggle against the face/skin. This pressure generated to seal the outside of the goggle forces greater pressure onto areas that are already tightly sealed and this can lead to user discomfort or damage to the delicate thin skin and the delicate vessels that exist in the lower parts of the orbits or can place pressure on the orbits which can lead to unhealthy pressure on the delicate eye/globe and can lead to changes in intraocular pressure and damage to internal eye/globe structures and could lead to glaucoma or can lead to retinal detachment or can result in neurologic reflexes such as vagal responses when undo pressure is placed onto the eyeball/globe. In this example what is really needed is for the pressure that is already being generated to be better and more effectively and ‘smartly’ distributed. A betting fitting goggle can occur by simple by transferring the pressure to the proper location, which in this example is the outside edge of the goggle, the portion away from the nose. The concept of adjusting the fit by using the nosepiece as a variable in the fit and creating a better and more comfortable fit can be replace the current concept of creating a better fit by pressing the goggle against the face/skin tighter and tighter and generating more and more pressure which leads to greater discomfort and potential facial damage such as dark rings under the eyes of swimmers secondary to tissue and small vessel damage and even with this increased pressure the goggle may still leak because the pressure is not successfully generated in the needed location which in this example is the lateral margin or outer portion of the eyepiece seal and goggle. Other embodiments can include but are not restricted to redirecting compression/pressure to the inner/medial region, superior/cranial or inferior/caudal regions of the orbit or in any region of the 360 degree radius of the seal and user's the eye or body part.
In another embodiment, the connector or bridging or closure element can be used for purposes other than a nosepiece and can include but are not restricted to a to be used with swimming goggles, a cast cover, a wound cover, a PIC Line cover, a respiratory or breathing mask to include but not restricted to a CPAP mask, a positive or negative pressure breathing mask, an intubation device, a male or female urinary condom catheter, ear buds, earphones, nose plugs, ostomy, an anal plug or anal catheter, penile ring or erectile function device, eye patch, vascular tube or catheter, hollow viscous catheter or tube, a seal for a surgical field which can be used to but not restricted to keeping the keeping a surgical field of infection or tumor from extending beyond its field or clothing such as but not restricted to footwear or gloves.
In another embodiment the forces that are modulated can include forces other than the adjustment of compression or pressure and can include but are not restricted to closure of objects, tightening, and distraction or separation of objects. An embodiment can include but is not restricted to closing a gaping wound where primary closure is limited or strained or not possible or a cast cover where an annular gel seal can be tightened so that the gel is overlapping and the seal is airtight and watertight but can be adjusted to allow the proper arterial inflow and venous outflow and lymphatic drainage.
In another embodiment the mask or goggles can be designed such that the eyepieces and the nosepiece are a uni-body design but the nosepiece or the component between the eyepieces can be structured to allow for the insertion or incorporation of an adjustable section between the eyepieces that incorporates the embodiments of closure and connecting and nosepiece design described herein. In one embodiment the mask/goggle can have a region that includes an area of the nose and/or is near the nose or inter-pupillary region or between the orbital region and that area can have a cut out or bare area that incorporated the nosepiece or connector or bridging 3 axis motion embodiments of this invention or the embodiments of the invention can be incorporated into the goggle/mask uni-body design of the eyepiece or nosepiece or strap or any combination of components or in another embodiment they can be on the surface or superficial to the uni-body design and this can include being superimposed on the membrane or covering material over the skin/face.
In one embodiment, since each individual has unique facial features there is a need for each nosepiece to be capable of adjusting uniquely and specifically for that user. The multiple embodiments that include but are not restricted to the nosepiece having elasticity in all three axes, and a stretchability that can alter the inter-pupillary distance, and a flexibility that can move with facial muscular movements and a malleability to assist the eyepieces to conformation to contours and structures of the face/skin. In addition the nosepiece can have a governor that can gradually or suddenly limit the movement, rotation, twisting, elasticity, stretchability, malleability of the nosepiece such that these features are not unlimited but rather are limited in their maximum and minimum properties. In addition these properties can be can have a linear or a non-linear response to forces that can include but are not restricted to forces to include but not restricted to pushing or pulling or compressing or lifting and that induce responses that can include but are not restricted to movement, rotation, twisting, elasticity, stretchability, and malleability, the current nosepiece invention has these properties.
In one embodiment, to create these responses and the governing of these responses and properties the nosepiece can be formed from one or more than one strand of material and each strand can have the same or different properties.
In one embodiment, the individual nosepiece strands properties can be fixed or they can be different or they can be variable or a mixture of these properties.
In another embodiment the nosepiece strands properties can have the same or a different initial property if there are multiple stands.
An another embodiment of having the same property can include but is not restricted to all of the strands being annular, all of the strands being non-annular, strands that are all the same circumference or length, all of the strands having the same response to forces that can include but are not restricted to pushing or pulling or compressing or lifting and that induce responses that can include but are not restricted to movement, rotation, twisting, elasticity, stretchability, and malleability.
An another embodiment of having different properties can include but is not restricted to some but not all of the strands being annular, being non-annular, strands that have all or less than all of the strands being different circumferences or lengths, or all or less than all of the strands having different responses to forces that can include but are not restricted to pushing or pulling or compressing or lifting and that induce responses that can include but are not restricted to movement, rotation, twisting, elasticity, stretchability, and malleability.
An another embodiment of having variable properties can include but is not restricted to one or more than one strand having and initial elasticity and a it is stretched the elasticity can increase or decrease, in responses to forces that can include but are not restricted to pushing or pulling or compressing or lifting. Other embodiments can include variable properties that can include but are not restricted to movement, rotation, twisting, elasticity, stretchability, and malleability.
In another embodiment the properties of the nosepiece can be altered with energies or forces that can include electromagnetic, chemical, Brownian, kinetic, and mechanical energies or forces.
In another embodiment the nosepiece can include one or be a combination of embodiments, such as but not restricted to multiple annular strands of different length but of the same elasticity, multiple strands of the same length but different elasticity.
In another embodiment a single or multiple strands can be composed as a composite or combination of one or more than one of the embodiment properties and example can include but is not restricted to a strand composed of an elastic material with a metallic wire embedded within the elastic strand. The wire can be undulating or coiled and as the elastic strand expands the wire will limit or govern the maximal stretch of the strand in the x axis but will not alter the movement in the y axis or the z axis or both the y and z axes.
In another embodiment a kit can be created for a universal coupling device such that the embodiments of the nosepiece herein can be used with goggles made from different manufacturers.
In one embodiment if the eyepiece has attachments that have an annular configuration can have a transitional component that can be annular or non-annular to include but not restricted to a compressible triangular shaped component that can fit through the inner diameter of the annular and then expand to become larger than the inner diameter and can attach the nosepiece to the transition piece and the eyepiece or can be an annular structure with a slit in the ring to allow it to attach to the annular component of the eyepiece or can be a flat strand that can have variable elasticity at a portion of the strand and can include but is not restricted to one portion of the strand and the some components can be harder, firmer, stiffer, or less elastic or stretchable and one or more other components can be less hard, firm, stiff or more elastic or stretchable and can fit into the various different eyepiece attachment designs. The transitional component can be attached to the nosepiece. The transitional component can compose one or more than one portion of the nosepiece.
In one embodiment the bridging material or nosepiece or connector can be directly attached to the seal or the frame or membrane relating to or attached to the seal and can change or dynamically alter the shape or the forces exerted on seal or frame and the relationship of the seal or frame to the face/skin.
In one embodiment a Keyhole can be created into the frame or seal or nosepiece/connector/bridge in order to interconnect and anchor these structures.
Because of the dynamic 3-axis movement of the nosepiece there is a movement of the eyepieces that occurs with this nosepiece that does not occur with the standard nosepieces. The forces on the eyepieces are altered. The compression force for the face/skin is distributed differently and in one embodiment the force can be translated such that a component of the downward compressive force is transferred to an outward force. Because of this alteration in the forces of the goggle and the goggle seal on the face/skin, the shape of the goggle and the goggle seal can be altered to create a more comfortable fit and some embodiments can include but re not restricted to curving the eyepiece to conform to the curvature of the face/skin, individualizing the curvature of the eyepiece, the seal or of both the eyepiece and the seal to conform to the face/skin, creating an asymmetric seal that is thicker in one or more portions of the seal than in other portions which can include but are not restricted to being thicker or have a variable hardness or softness or a combination of different thicknesses or hardness or softness qualities in the horizontal plane the vertical plane or the anterior posterior pane, which can include but is not restricted to positions near the nose than away from the nose, superior/cephalad than inferior caudal, or any combination of away from the nose than near the nose, or any combination of these axes. The seal can be created to be dynamic such that when a pressure is applied to the seal, the seal that pressure will result in a morphing of the thickness or plasticity or elasticity or durometer or hardness or softness the seal at the site of the presence or absence of the forces exerted. The seal or eyepiece can be composed of a transitional phase or phase change (PCM) material that can transition in its state of solid or gel or liquid or gas such that the properties of the seal or eyepiece alter when exposed to a substance to include but not restricted to a solid, a gel, a liquid such as but not restricted to water in the pool or a gas to include but not restricted to room air; or an energetic force that can include but are not restricted to heat, light, pressure, electromagnetic, kinetic, mechanical, vibrational, ultrasound or Brownian forces.
In another embodiment the seal or the nosepiece or the eyepiece or any combination of these components can have a portion of the component composed of a phase change material which can include but is not restricted to hydrophobic or hydrophilic materials or polymers or hydrates, fatty acids and esters, metals such as but not restricted to nitenol, paraffins such as but not restricted to octadecane or ionic liquids can be used to create an airtight or watertight or acoustic seal with the skin, or with a mucosal membrane to include but not restricted to the nasal cavity, the oral mucosa, the oral/digestive mucosa, the respiratory mucosa or with an orifice, the inner linings of the body such as but not restricted to the peritoneal lining, pleural lining, or the transitional space between the outer skin and the inner body to include but not restricted to the dermal, subdermal, subcutaneous, and cutaneous layers. For the purpose of this patent all of these linings and layers can be interchangeably referred to as skin or linings.
Phase change materials (PCM's) can include but are not restricted to encapsulated PCMs that are macro-encapsulations, micro-encapsulations and phase change slurries. This embodiment of phase change slurries as an added benefit can provide for the exchange of heat, which can be used to help prevent fogging of the eyepiece. A portion of the seal or the eyepiece or both can be composed of phase change materials and can be encapsulated or non-encapsulated or can be in the form of a slurry or not in the form of a slurry.
Another embodiment can include but is not restricted to a portion of the eyepiece that is composed of a phase change material that can include but are not restricted to encapsulated PCMs that are macro-encapsulations, micro-encapsulations or a phase change slurry.
Another embodiment can include but is not restricted to a portion of the nosepiece that is composed of a phase change material that can include but are not restricted to encapsulated PCMs that are macro-encapsulations, micro-encapsulations or a phase change slurry.
Another embodiment can include but is not restricted to a portion of the seal that is composed of a phase change material that can include but are not restricted to encapsulated PCMs that are macro-encapsulations, micro-encapsulations or a phase change slurry.
Another embodiment can include but is not restricted to a portion of the eyepiece, nosepiece or seal that is composed of a phase change material that can include but are not restricted to encapsulated PCMs that are macro-encapsulations, micro-encapsulations or a phase change slurry.
Another embodiment the use of transitional or phase change materials can be used as a seal that can include but is not restricted to swimming goggles and can be used with other seals that can include but are not restricted to a cast cover, a wound cover, a PIC Line cover, a respiratory or breathing mask, to include but not restricted to a CPAP mask, a positive or negative pressure breathing mask which can include and can be defined to include but is not restricted to surgical masks, protective masks; an intubation device, a male or female urinary condom catheter, ear buds, earphones, nose plugs, ostomy, an anal plug or anal catheter, penile ring or erectile function device, eye patch, vascular tube or catheter, hollow viscous catheter or tube, a seal for a surgical field which can be used to but not restricted to keeping the keeping a surgical field of infection or tumor from extending beyond its field, gloves, or clothing such as but not restricted to footwear or gloves.
In another embodiment the use of transitional or phase change materials can be used as a seal on can be used with other materials that can include but are not restricted to solids or liquids or gels or gases and the transitional or phase change materials can be placed within or superficially on the surface of said material or a combination of both. In one embodiment if the and if the transitional or phase change materials are placed superficially on the surface of said material then this can include laminating, coating, placing a covering membrane over said material and electrophoresis. In another embodiment the transitional or phase change materials can be embedded or intimately integrated into said material and in the preferred embodiment the transitional or phase change materials would be both integrated into and placed superficially in a laminar coating to adjust to the contours of the face/skin in not just a macroscopic but also in a sub-macroscopic or microscopic manner to insure an airtight or watertight or acoustic seal. In one embodiment said material can be a gel, or silicon based material or a plastic or polymer that can conform to the contours of the skin.
In one embodiment the nosepiece can be a kit that can include but not be restricted to nosepieces and transitional components that can form a Kit to use with goggles from different goggle makers.
Another embodiment the nosepiece can serve as a bridging or closure device to bridge or connect one or more than one structures and can include but are not restricted to a swimming goggles, a cast cover, a wound cover, a PIC Line cover, a respiratory or breathing mask to include but not restricted to a CPAP mask, a positive or negative pressure breathing mask, an intubation device, a male or female urinary condom catheter, ear buds, earphones, nose plugs, ostomy, an anal plug or anal catheter, penile ring or erectile function device, eye patch, vascular tube or catheter, hollow viscous catheter or tube, a seal for a surgical field which can be used to but not restricted to keeping the keeping a surgical field of infection or tumor from extending beyond its field, gloves, or clothing such as but not restricted to footwear or gloves.
In another embodiment the bridging or closure device can be used to adjust to the physiologic motions of the body that can include but are not restricted to connecting or bridging across or around joints or moving muscles or body part and structures and can also include serve as a transition between a biological structure and a non-biological structure such as but not restricted to between the thigh and a urinary bag, a cast and a cast cover.
In one embodiment the bridging or closure device is designed to make it easier to close or bridge or release or open one or more structures connected by the closure or bridging system. In on embodiment there can be one or more than one strand in which to create the closure. One embodiment can include but is not restricted to annular bands that have an incremental increase in their tension in which there are three annular bands. In one embodiment the bands can be color coded for tension and to assist with removal. The first band is yellow and has mild tension, the second band is green and has moderate tension and the third band is blue and has strong or intense tension in which the third band would represent a complete closure of the two apposing structures. To open the structure the process is reversed and the most tense band is removed first such that the intense tension blue band is removed then the moderate tension green band then the mild tension yellow band is removed. This embodiment can be used for but not restricted to a cast cover, a wound cover, a PIC line or vascular catheter cover, a urinary catheter bag, a penile ring, a condom catheter, an ostomy device, gloves, or footwear or clothing or tourniquet or for non-organic uses to include but not restricted to snow-chains, or closing a lid and this closure can be referred to as a transitional closure.
In another embodiment, each individual strand can also be composed such that the properties can include but are not restricted to movement, rotation, twisting, elasticity, stretch-ability, or malleability can vary within an individual or multiple strands. In one embodiment, the variation in properties can be from lamination or multilayered variability that can be continuous or discontinuous FLEX Design.
In another embodiment, the nosepiece can be attached to the eyepiece or the seal or the strap or any combination of these components.
One invention can include but is not restricted to a seal or a portion of a seal) that can create an airtight or watertight or acoustic seal with the user's skin or orifice or body lining that can be composed of a phase change material that can include but are not restricted to a non-encapsulated or an encapsulated PCMs that are macro-encapsulations, micro-encapsulations or a phase change slurry (PCS) that can create an airtight or watertight or acoustic seal with the user's skin or orifice or body lining. The seal can be used with a material that can include but is not restricted to a membrane or a frame or structure. The seal can be annular or non-annular or a combination of these elements. The PCM and PCS seal can be used for but not restricted to a seal for swimming goggles, a cast cover, a wound cover, a PIC Line cover, a respiratory or breathing mask to include but not restricted to a CPAP mask, a positive or negative pressure breathing mask, an intubation device, a male or female urinary condom catheter, ear buds, earphones, nose plugs, ostomy, an anal plug or anal catheter, penile ring or erectile function device, eye patch, vascular tube or catheter, hollow viscous catheter or tube, a seal for a surgical field which can be used to but not restricted to keeping the keeping a surgical field of infection or tumor from extending beyond its field or clothing such as but not restricted to footwear or gloves or pant bottoms.
Embodiments of the nosepiece can include the properties that include but are not restricted to being adjustable to the inter-pupillary distance, can be slipped on and off and changed more easily than current nosepieces, and is more secure than current nosepieces and does not fall off, multiple nosepiece shapes can be chosen and then these selected shapes have additional adjustment built in through elasticity and angulation and design shape that fits the nose, fits the nose contour and anatomy more comfortably than the current models, the nosepiece moves with the face/skin movements but the seal remains airtight and watertight, can create a universal kit that can work on multiple manufacturing company's goggle and therefore is not unique to only one specific pair of goggle, can be composed of multiple pieces (strands) that create greater contour and movement and fit, and the nosepiece attachment can have multiple locations on the eyepiece, the seal or the strap and can have variable angles and heights and shapes to better contour to the human anatomy of nose and the eye and can have a continuous strap and Nosepiece and the Closure device can flex and bend and simulate or mimic physiologic movements of muscles and joints such as the knee elbow shoulder and each closure can be designed for that specific joint.
Current static closures put the stress on the object being closed and not on the closure device and by using this principle the nosepieces creates a better form fitting goggle and seal.
In one embodiment, the eyepiece or the nosepiece can have an attachment component that can include an eyepiece that has an annular or centrally hollow aspect onto which the nosepiece can be attached and the annular or non-annular extension that can include a curved shape or an angular shaped attachment element that can have one or more or less than one partition or division and can have one or more than one or less than one slit or passage that allows a connecting piece or bridge or nosepiece to pass through the slit or passage. In this embodiment there can be one or more than one attachment and the attachment can be on the nosepiece, the eyepiece or the strap.
In another embodiment, the attachment can be angled or elongated in a static or fixed manner or can dynamically elongate to improve the fit to contour better to the user's face an in one embodiment to include but not restricted to a telescoping elongating attachment.
In another embodiment, the eyepiece or nosepiece or strap that can be incorporated or have an attachment can have a swivel or ball-bearing-like device that can move in a manner to include but not restricted to swivel or rotate or move in an angular or curvilinear or spiral manner and can adjust to the energetic forces to include but not restricted to compression or pressures to adjust to the user's contours of the face/skin/body parts.
In another invention a fitting device can be used or incorporated into the choosing or into the creation of a better fitting of pair of goggles. Topographic 3-D mapping of the body is possible using multiple methods that include but are not restricted to direct physical contact with a physical substance such s a series of sliding pegs, physical measurements being placed into a computer or device, mechanical structures that conform to the topography of the face, foam or gel; or an energetic method for topographic 3-D mapping to include but not restricted to RGB scanning systems, laser scanning to include but not restricted to low level lasers, Magnetic resonance imaging, Ultrasound including but not restricted to A-mode, B-mode, C-mode, M-mode including but not restricted to Doppler, color Doppler, continuous mode, pulsed wave and Duplex, pulsed inversion mode, and harmonic mode; photogrammetry, and television scanning. The subject or user or the source of imaging can be rotated and the scan executed and the data collected and then analyzed using computer added design and reconstruction programs. This data can then be used to render a 3-D image of the face and can be used at home or at a manufacturing facility to customize a pair of goggles with a frame and seal and nosepiece and strap or any combination of these elements that precisely fits the face of the user who has been scanned, or can be used to choose from a series of goggles/mask and choose a ‘best fit’ pair of goggles/mask and this process can be performed at sites to include but not restricted to the home using a home computer and app, software program or device, a kiosk, or a wholesale or retail outlet or store.
In another embodiment the fitting device can be applied to uses other than just goggles and can include but is not restricted to swimming goggles, a cast cover, a wound cover, a PIC Line cover, a respiratory or breathing mask to include but not restricted to a CPAP mask, a positive or negative pressure breathing mask, an intubation device, a male or female urinary condom catheter, ear buds, earphones, nose plugs, ostomy, an anal plug or anal catheter, penile ring or erectile function device, eye patch, vascular tube or catheter, hollow viscous catheter or tube, a seal for a surgical field which can be used to but not restricted to keeping the keeping a surgical field of infection or tumor from extending beyond its field or clothing such as but not restricted to footwear or gloves.
In another embodiment the topographic contour can be used to calculate not just the external superficial contours but also can include internal contours or volumes. In one embodiment the surface contour can be used to render the shape of a body part and from this body part a rendered shape can be calculated that can then be used to determine the internal shape or size of a structure that will fit over that body part that can include but is not restricted to in one embodiment limb with a cast and from that topographic assessment a cast cover size and shape and volume can be approximated and the user can then choose the ‘best fit’ cast cover or can have a customized cast cover constructed to fit that individual user.
In one embodiment the cast cover size and shape can be constructed at the site to fit that patient. In one embodiment the cast cover can have at least one component that is a plastic bag that is annular and covers the surface of the user and the cast and in this embodiment one or more rolls of continuous hollow tubes can be present and when topographic measurements are calculated by a method to include but not restricted to a 3-D topographic mapping device or a mechanical device or simple measurements such as a but not restricted to a tape measure or ruler or placing the cast into a hollow tube or bag and once the user is measured a manufacturing device can be initiated and the manufacturing device can include but is not restricted to measuring out the hollow plastic tube and heat sealing one end and then cutting that sealed end off from the remainder of the hollow roll thus creating a cast cover that is tailored precisely for the user and the user's cast, or in another embodiment the machine that seals one end of the tube can also create a configuration that fits the hand/fingers or foot/toes of the user, or in another embodiment can create a tapered configuration to reduce redundant materials and yet allow the tube to fit over the cast or limb. Sealing the tube will depend on the material that is being used as a membrane or covering and in this embodiment the tube or membrane or covering is plastic the sealing process can include but is not restricted to heat sealing, glues or adhesives, stitching or electromagnetic or kinetic/mechanical forms of sealing to include but not restricted to radiofrequency, ultrasound or laser or welding.
In another embodiment the end product can be calculated from the topographical and volumetric or a combination of both elements data and can be manufactured by methods that can include but are not restricted to extrusion, surface molding or cutting to form a best fit product that can include but is not restricted to swimming goggles, a cast cover, a wound cover, a PIC Line cover, a respiratory or breathing mask to include but not restricted to a CPAP mask, a positive or negative pressure breathing mask, an intubation device, a male or female urinary condom catheter, ear buds, earphones, nose plugs, ostomy, an anal plug or anal catheter, penile ring or erectile function device, eye patch, vascular tube or catheter, hollow viscous catheter or tube, a seal for a surgical field which can be used to but not restricted to keeping the keeping a surgical field of infection or tumor from extending beyond its field or clothing such as but not restricted to footwear or gloves.
These methods and devices and inventions can also be used in human and non-human living creatures.
The methods for the testing devices can be used for other applications to include but not restricted to feet to include but not restricted to shoe and sock sizes; hands to include but not restricted to sizing gloves; head for hat and helmet sizes, mouth for mask sizes; body for shirt and dress and pants sizes.
The methods for the testing devices can analyze the information and patterns by using analog or digital methods that can include but are not restricted to charts, computers, visual inspection, automated analysis and non-automated analysis.
The methods for the testing devices can be applied to but not restricted to sizing an object, creating a user interface, determining the optimal thickness or requirements of an object to include but not restricted to optimal warmth, cooling, light, shade, sensitivity to touch, softness and hardness, stimulation of a body part, feedback for pain, touch, and temperature.
These methods and devices and inventions can also be used in human and non-human living creatures.
In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described as referenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope.
Claims
1. A cover, comprising:
- an airtight and watertight covering defining a space with at least one opening configured to circumferentially accommodate a portion of a body of a wearer and comprising a flex layer comprising a plurality of resiliently elastic, malleable and deformable strands; and
- a first gasket comprising a malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer communicatively provided within an inner surface of the airtight and watertight covering within the space, the first gasket configured to form an airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body,
- wherein the flex layer is deformable to allow the flex layer to transmute the magnitude of a force applied to the flex layer and to mitigate and to redirect the force respectively received against and away from the first gasket which thereby maintains the airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body.
2. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one of:
- a further covering; and
- a further flex layer comprising a further plurality of the resiliently elastic, malleable and deformable strands.
3. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the airtight and watertight covering defining a shape configured to contour to the portion of the body of the wearer.
4. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
- a margin formed by the first gasket configured to be in continuous contact with both the inner surface and the portion of the body.
5. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
- a margin formed by the first gasket configured to be in contact with both the inner surface and the portion of the body and defining at least one gap in the airtight and watertight seal; and
- a closure device operatively provided on an exterior aspect of the airtight and watertight covering about which the first gasket is provided, the closure device upon tightening configured to cause the margin to be in continuous contact with both the inner surface and the portion of the body.
6. A cover in accordance with claim 5, the closure device further comprising one or more of:
- a hook and loop fastener;
- an adhesive;
- an adhesive tape;
- glue;
- stitching;
- rope;
- a band;
- fabric;
- rubber material;
- latex material;
- a tension fastener;
- a coupler;
- a connector;
- a slit closure;
- a releasable fastener;
- a strap closure; and
- a protuberance fastener.
7. A cover in accordance with claim 5, wherein the closure device upon tightening is further configured to cause the flex layer to adjust to the further forces that are exerted by the body and movement of a surface of the portion of the body.
8. A cover in accordance with claim 7, wherein the further forces comprise one or more of tension, coupling, fixation, compression, pulling, tightening, distracting, separating, pressure, connecting, and closing.
9. A cover in accordance with claim 5, wherein the closure device upon tightening is further configured to cause alteration of at least one of venous blood flow, arterial blood flow, bleeding, and wound exposure.
10. A cover in accordance with claim 5, wherein the closure device is provided one of fully circumferentially and partially circumferentially on the exterior aspect of the flex layer.
11. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the strands of the flex layer exhibit at least one of variable elasticity and variable lengths.
12. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first gasket is provided within the inner surface proximal to the at least one opening.
13. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
- a second gasket comprising the malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer communicatively provided within the inner surface, the second gasket separated from the first gasket by spacing and configured to form a further airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body,
- wherein the flex layer is further deformable to mitigate and to redirect the force respectively received against and away from the second gasket which thereby maintains the further airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body.
14. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
- a further flex layer comprised of an airtight and watertight material provided on an outer surface of the flex layer.
15. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the airtight and watertight covering, the resiliently elastic, malleable and deformable strands comprising the flex layer, and the malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer comprising the first gasket comprise a material exhibiting one or more of variability in thickness, plasticity, elasticity, durometers, hardness, and softness in at least one of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis.
16. A cover in accordance with claim 15, wherein the variability of the material changes with one or more of closeness to the portion of the body, distance from the portion of the body, longitudinal orientation with the portion of the body, transverse orientation with the portion of the body, and oblique orientation with the portion of the body.
17. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
- an overlapping aspect comprised of at least part of the flex layer and at least part of the first gasket.
18. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one of:
- a rigid frame provided with the flex layer;
- a semi rigid frame provided with the flex layer; and
- a flexible frame provided with the flex layer.
19. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein spacing between the inner surface and a surface of the portion of the body is maintained in one of a positive pressure and a negative pressure.
20. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer comprises at least one of a gel, a gel slurry, and a phase change material.
21. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the resiliently elastic, malleable and deformable strands comprise at least one of hydrophobic material, hydrophilic material, hydratable material, a fatty acid, an ester, an ionic liquid, and a metal.
22. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the airtight and watertight covering comprises at least one of a medical device and a wearable apparatus.
23. A cover in accordance with claim 22, wherein the medical device is selected from the group comprising connector, bridging, closure element, cast cover, wound cover, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line cover, respiratory mask, breathing mask, CPAP mask, positive pressure breathing mask, negative pressure breathing mask, intubation device, male urinary condom catheter, female urinary condom catheter, eye patch, vascular tube, catheter tube, hollow viscous catheter, hollow viscous tube, and surgical field seal.
24. A cover in accordance with claim 22, wherein the wearable apparatus is selected from the group comprising a nosepiece, swimming goggles, ear buds, earphones, nose plugs, ostomy, anal plug, anal catheter, penile ring, erectile function device, eye patch, footwear, and gloves.
25. A cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the portion of the body comprises at least one of a head, a face, an eye, an ear, a nose, a mouth, a body orifice, an appendage, a limb, a genital, a urinary system, a respiratory system, an oral mucosa, a mucosa, a digestive system, an organ, a lining of the body, a peritoneal lining, a pleural lining, a dermal layer, a subdermal layer, a subcutaneous layer, and a cutaneous layer.
26. A cover in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
- a first pair of the gaskets defining a first spacing therebetween and a second pair of the gaskets defining a second spacing therebetween, the first pair of gaskets separated from the second pair of gaskets by spacing, each of the gaskets comprising a malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer communicatively provided within an inner surface and configured to form an airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body,
- wherein the flex layer is deformable to allow the flex layer to transmute the magnitude of a force applied to the flex layer and to mitigate and to redirect the force respectively received against and away from each of the gaskets in the first pair of gaskets and each of the gaskets in the second pair of gaskets which thereby maintain the airtight and watertight seals against the portion of the body.
27. A cover in accordance with claim 26, wherein the flex layer is provided within at least one of the first spacing and the second spacing.
28. A cover in accordance with claim 26, wherein at least one of the first pair of gaskets and the second pair of gaskets is communicatively provided within the inner surface proximal to the at least one opening.
29. A cover in accordance with claim 26, further comprising:
- a third pair of gaskets defining a third spacing therebetween, the third pair of gaskets provided within the spacing between the first pair of gaskets and the second pair of gaskets, each of the gaskets configured to form a further airtight and watertight seal against the portion of the body,
- wherein the flex layer is deformable to mitigate and to redirect the force respectively received against and away from each of the gaskets in the third pair of gaskets which thereby maintain the further airtight and watertight seals against the portion of the body.
30. A cover in accordance with claim 26, wherein the flex layer is provided within the third spacing.
31. A cover in accordance with claim 26, wherein the malleable and resiliently deformable elastomer comprising at least one of the gaskets forms at least one of a solid material and semi-solid material defining a plurality of air spaces comprising one or more geometric shapes.
32. A cover in accordance with claim 31, wherein the solid material is formed circumferentially around an outward facing surface of the at least one gasket.
Type: Application
Filed: May 5, 2022
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2022
Inventor: Alan N. Schwartz (Edmonds, WA)
Application Number: 17/737,777