U.S. patent application number 12/931214 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for multi-use eye mask or shield.
Invention is credited to Joseph E. McMullen.
Application Number | 20120192330 12/931214 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46576076 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120192330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McMullen; Joseph E. |
August 2, 2012 |
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.
Inventors: |
McMullen; Joseph E.;
(Greenville, SC) |
Family ID: |
46576076 |
Appl. No.: |
12/931214 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1184 20130101;
A41D 13/1169 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/9 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/11 20060101
A41D013/11 |
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
the sleep mask with materials which have opacity, odor and moisture
absorbency and porosity.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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
[0017] The construction designed to carry out the invention will
hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof.
[0018] 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:
[0019] 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;
[0020] 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;
[0021] 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;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a front side elevation view of the eye mask of
FIG. 1C of this invention having right and left eye
protrusions;
[0023] 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;
[0024] 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;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mask of FIG. 2 taken
along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;
[0026] 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;
[0027] 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;
[0028] 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
[0029] 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
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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).
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
* * * * *