U.S. patent application number 15/052397 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-24 for facial skin indentation preventer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Frances Burns, Kathleen Burns. Invention is credited to Frances Burns, Kathleen Burns.
Application Number | 20170239439 15/052397 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59631349 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170239439 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burns; Kathleen ; et
al. |
August 24, 2017 |
FACIAL SKIN INDENTATION PREVENTER
Abstract
A facial skin indentation preventer has a central base core
surrounded by an entrapment flap and a securing flap. The core and
flaps have two layers: a soft moleskin or similar skin-contact
layer and a second more rigid layer. A rigid cushion is attached to
the central base core and a cannula or similar item can be placed
thereon. The flaps are then folded inwards, over the rigid cushion,
creating a cannula pocket above the rigid cushion and entrapping
and holding the cannula therein. An entrapment hinge and securing
hinge ensure the folds remain rounded and soft. A flap attachment
is used to lock the securing flap in place and ensure the cannula
stays within the cannula pocket.
Inventors: |
Burns; Kathleen; (Pueblo,
CO) ; Burns; Frances; (Pueblo, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Burns; Kathleen
Burns; Frances |
Pueblo
Pueblo |
CO
CO |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59631349 |
Appl. No.: |
15/052397 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0875 20130101;
A61M 2025/0226 20130101; A61M 2025/0266 20130101; A61M 16/0672
20140204; A61M 2209/088 20130101; A61M 16/0683 20130101; A61M
2209/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/06 20060101
A61M016/06; A41D 13/11 20060101 A41D013/11 |
Claims
1. A facial skin indentation preventer, comprising: an outer
skin-contact layer for contacting a face of a wearer, the outer
skin-contact layer comprising non-adhesive fabric; an inner
rigidity layer that is made from a stiffer material than the outer
skin-contact layer; a rigid cushion attached to the inner rigidity
layer in a center of the preventer, the center of the preventer
defining a central base core; one end of the preventer defining an
entrapment flap attached to the central base core by an entrapment
hinge, the entrapment flap configured to be folded towards the
rigid cushion so as to present a first rounded, soft edge; a second
end of the preventer defining a securing flap attached to the
central base core by a securing hinge; the securing flap configured
to be folded towards the rigid cushion so as to present a second
rounded, soft edge; a flap attachment secured to the securing flap
for securing the securing flap to the entrapment flap in a folded
position defining a cannula pocket space configured for holding
cannula tubing; and wherein the preventer is configured for
distributing pressure from the cannula tubing across a wider
surface area to prevent indentations in the facial skin of the
wearer during use of the cannula tubing.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 1, wherein the
flap attachment comprises a flap adhesive and an adhesive cover
attached thereto, whereby removal of the adhesive cover from the
flap adhesive exposes the flap adhesive so that the entrapment flap
can affix thereto.
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 1, wherein the
outer skin-contact layer is moleskin.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The facial skin indentation preventer of claim 4, wherein the
outer skin-contact layer is moleskin.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the fields of
health and beauty, and more particularly to a facial skin
indentation preventer.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Human skin, especially facial skin, can be sensitive. Items
that rub, press into, or otherwise contact skin for extended
periods can lead to redness, indentation, irritation, swelling, and
even sores. This is especially true for items such as mask straps,
cannulas, and similar objects (collectively, "cannulas") that put
constant pressure on the facial skin over longer periods of time.
For example, many people utilize nasal cannulas for delivery of
supplemental oxygen. The hollow plastic tubing that feeds the
oxygen usually runs from behind the ears to the nose. If worn
during sleep, such tubing is often pressed into the wearer's facial
skin causing red, irritated indentations or "lines" across the
wearer's cheeks. Such lines can persist for hours after removal of
the causative agent (i.e., the cannula, mask strap, etc.) and can
be unsightly as well as unhealthy.
[0003] Therefore, what is needed is a device that can be used in
combination with cannulas that works to prevent facial skin
indentations, irritations, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a
pre-installation configuration;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a
pre-installation configuration;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary
embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a
pre-installation configuration;
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary
embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in an installed
position around a cannula tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] In the following discussion, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.
Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be
interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to
only those examples.
[0009] Exemplary embodiments are described below in the
accompanying Figure. The following detailed description provides a
comprehensive review of the drawing in order to provide a thorough
understanding of, and an enabling description for, these
embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand
that in some cases well-known structures and functions have not
been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring
the description of the embodiments.
[0010] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a
perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a facial skin
indentation preventer 10 in a pre-installation configuration. The
preventer 10 is shown in an open configuration with a cannula tube
90 attached to nasal prongs 95 (both shown in broken lines) placed
on top of the preventer 10. The embodiment of the preventer 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a central base core 60, an
entrapment flap 20, a securing flap 50, an entrapment hinge 30, a
securing hinge 40, and a flap attachment 70. It is important to
understand that the preventer 10 can be utilized with any strap,
tube, or similar object (again, collectively "cannulas") that would
otherwise press into the skin of a user.
[0011] The central base core 60, the entrapment flap 20, and the
securing flap 50 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as each comprising a
plurality of layers. The plurality of layers includes an outer
skin-contact layer 24, 64 and 54 and an inner rigidity layer 22, 62
and 52. The outer skin-contact layer 24, 64 and 54 can comprise a
soft, resilient material such as mole-skin or other similarly soft
fabric or material. The inner rigidity layer 22, 62 and 52 should
be a somewhat stiff/rigid material that is still flexible, but has
enough stiffness so that the preventer 10 does not completely mold
to the curvature of the face when the cannula 90 that is running
through the preventer 10 is pulled tight against the face, or that
the edges of the preventer 10 will at least spring back up off the
face when the strain on a cannula 90 is relaxed. A stiff non-stick
and/or waxed paper can be used for the inner rigidity layer 22, 62
and 52, while other materials are contemplated in other
embodiments.
[0012] The central base core 60 can be generally rectangular in
shape, 1.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches long. In other embodiments,
other widths and lengths are contemplated. Attached to the central
base core 60 on one long side is an entrapment flap 20. Attached on
the other long side is a securing flap 50.
[0013] In order to install the preventer 10 on the cannula tubing
90, the user simply places the cannula tubing 90 lengthwise along
the center of the central base core 60 and the traps the tubing 90
in place by folding the entrapment flap 20 over the tube, thereby
sandwiching the cannula 90 between the entrapment flap 20 and the
central base core 60. In order to ensure the cannula stays in
place, the user then folds the securing flap 50 over top of the
entrapment flap 20 and locks it in place. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1, a flap attachment 70 is used to lock the
securing flap 50 in place. This is accomplished by removing the
adhesive cover 73 from the securing flap adhesive 75 in order to
expose the adhesive before folding the securing flap 50 over. Then,
the user simply presses the adhesive onto the entrapment flap 20
and locks the two together. The cannula is thereby trapped between
the entrapment flap 20 and the central base core 60 and secured
therein by attachment of the securing flap 50 to the entrapment
flap 70. In other embodiments, other means of entrapping the
cannula on top of the central base core 60 are contemplated. For
example, one or more small spring clamps could grasp the cannula
tubing, or a sandwich of hook and loop material with the tubing
therebetween could be used, etc. However, embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1 provides a number of advantages over these other
embodiments: it is simple to manufacture; provides smooth, rounded
side edges; provides a soft skin-contact surface whether the
preventer 10 is upside-down or right-side-up; etc.
[0014] Between the entrapment flap 20 and the central base core 60
is an area called an entrapment hinge 30 that provides extra
materials that can act as a hinge when the entrapment flap 20 is
folded back over the central base core 60 during installation (see
FIG. 4). Similarly, between the securing flap 50 and the central
base core 60 is an area called a securing hinge 40 that provides
extra materials that can act as a hinge when the securing flap 50
is folded back over the central base core 60 during installation
(see FIG. 4). When the two flaps 20 and 50 are folded over during
installation, the two hinges 30 and 40 form soft, rounded edges
that run the length of the long sides of the central base core 60.
These soft, rounded edges are much preferable to sharp, distinct
edges that would otherwise be found if the flaps weren't folded
over but were instead separate pieces stacked on top of the central
base core 60 (or in the case of only one of the two flaps being
used).
[0015] The central base core 60 has attached thereto a rigid
cushion 80 comprising a double-sided foam tape or any other
suitably stiff and cushiony material. A one-thirty-second inch or
one-sixteenth inch thickness can be used. Other thicknesses can be
used in other embodiments. Double-sided foam tape allows the
material to be easily attached to the inner rigidity layer 62 of
the central base core (by simply peeling off the adhesive
protection from the bottom of the foam tape and sticking it to the
top of the central base core 62). The top surface of the second
tape can be left with the adhesive cover in place to ensure that
the cannula can be slid back and forth over the rigid cushion 80 in
order to reposition the preventer 10 along the length of the
cannula 90 as desired. Alternatively, the second tape can have the
adhesive cover removed and the preventer 10 can then be attached to
the cannula 90 at a specific location. In yet other embodiments,
other somewhat rigid cushiony material(s) can be used instead of
double-sided foam tape. The rigid cushion 80 may have adhesives on
zero, one, two or more faces and may attach to the inner rigidity
layer 62 in other ways.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, the flap attachment 70 can be
pre-installed on the outer skin-contact layer 24 of the entrapment
flap 20. In this configuration, once the entrapment flap 20 is
closed over the cannula 90, then the adhesive cover 73 can be
removed from the flap attachment 70 in order to expose the flap
adhesive 75 and then the securing flap 50 can be folded over onto
the adhesive, thereby locking the two flaps together.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer 10 in a
pre-installation configuration. When viewed from above, only the
top surfaces of the pre-installation preventer 10 are visible: the
inner rigidity layer 22 of the entrapment flap 20, the rigid
cushion 80 on top of the central base core 60, and the adhesive
cover 73 of the flap attachment 70 on top of the securing flap 50.
Also, the entrapment hinge 30 and securing hinge 40 areas are
visible.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary
embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer 10 in a
pre-installation configuration. In the side view, the two layers
that make up the entrapment flap 20, central base core 60, securing
flap 50, and hinges 30 and 40 are visible: the outer skin-contact
layer 24, 64 and 54 and the inner rigidity layer 22, 62 and 52.
Similarly, the two layers that make up the flap attachment 70 are
visible as well: the adhesive cover 73 and the securing flap
adhesive 75. During installation, the adhesive cover 73 is removed,
exposing the securing flap adhesive 75 for attachment to the outer
skin-contact layer 24 of the entrapment flap 20.
[0019] Note the round cannula tube 90 is illustrated in FIG. 3
using broken lines. The cannula tube is placed atop and along
approximately the center of the rigid cushion 80. The entrapment
flap 20 can then be folded along the entrapment hinge 30 to trap
the cannula between the entrapment flap 20 and the rigid cushion
80. The securing flap 50 can then be folded along the securing
hinge 40 to secure the cannula in place. The flap attachment 70
ensures that the installed preventer 10 is able to keep the cannula
in place during repositioning of the user, changing the location of
the preventer 10 along the cannula tubing, etc.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary
embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer 10 in an
installed position around a cannula tube 90. In its installed
configuration, the preventer 10 creates a cannula pocket 94 which
is a space within which a cannula 90 can rest. It is important to
understand that the preventer 10 can be utilized with any strap,
tube, or similar object (again, collectively "cannulas") that would
otherwise press into the skin of a user. Thus, the cannula pocket
94 is designed to hold within it any strap, tube or similar object,
not just a cannula. The cannula pocket 94 is created when the inner
rigidity layer 22 of the entrapment flap 20 is brought near the top
surface of the rigid cushion 80. This occurs when the entrapment
flap 20 is folded along the entrapment hinge 30 and placed over the
central base core 60.
[0021] In this illustration, the rounded long edges of the
preventer 10 are apparent as the hinges 30 and 40 are illustrated
in their hinged configuration rather than flat as in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The cannula tubing 90 is clearly illustrated as being entrapped in
the cannula pocket 94, i.e., the space between the inner rigidity
layer 22 of the entrapment flap 20 and the top surface of the rigid
cushion 80 of the central base core 60.
[0022] The overlapping of the dual-layer entrapment and securing
flaps above the tubing 90 ensures proper cushioning should the
preventer 10 get flipped over and present the outer skin-contact
layer 54 of the securing flap 50 to the user's facial skin instead
of the outer skin-contact layer 64 of the central base core 60, as
is the norm. In either case, the user can roll-over onto the
cannula tubing 90 when sleeping, and yet the preventer 10 will
distribute the pressure from the tubing 90 across a wider surface
area and ensure that the user doesn't awake with a red, irritated
indentation from the cannula tubing pressing into their cheek or
other skin.
[0023] It should be apparent from the above discussion that any
other strap, tube, cord, or material can be wrapped with the
preventer 10 and it will ensure the prevention of skin indentation
therefrom. Similarly, the preventer 10 can be used on straps,
tubes, cords, or other materials that contact other portions of a
person's skin in addition to those touching the facial skin and
will similarly prevent those materials from causing uncomfortable
and unsightly indentations.
[0024] While particular embodiments have been described and
disclosed in the present application, it is clear that any number
of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without
departing from the spirit and the scope of this disclosure.
[0025] Particular terminology used when describing certain features
or aspects of the embodiments should not be taken to imply that the
terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any
specific characteristics, features, or aspects with which that
terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the
following claims should not be construed to be limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the
above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms.
Accordingly, the actual scope of the claims encompasses not only
the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of
practicing or implementing the claimed subject matter.
[0026] The above detailed description of the embodiments is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of
usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of,
and examples for, the invention are described above for
illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention
provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily
the system described above. The elements and acts of the various
embodiments described above can be combined to provide further
embodiments.
[0027] Any patents, applications and other references that may be
listed in accompanying or subsequent filing papers, are
incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be
modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and
concepts of the various references to provide yet further
embodiments of the invention.
[0028] In light of the above "Detailed Description," the Inventor
may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description
outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the
best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in
text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus,
implementation details may vary considerably while still being
encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the
inventors. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when
describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not
be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to
be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects
of the invention with which that terminology is associated.
[0029] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below
in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various
aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly,
the inventors reserve the right to add additional claims after
filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for
other aspects of the invention.
[0030] The above specification, examples and data provide a
description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations
of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is
important to note that many implementations can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *