TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the fields of health and beauty, and more particularly to a facial skin indentation preventer.
BACKGROUND
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.
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
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;
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;
FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration;
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer in a pre-installation configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer 100 in a pre-installation configuration. In this embodiment, only a single initial layer spans the preventer: the soft, outer skin-contact layer 110 is a single piece of material such as mole-skin, felt, or something similar that is soft, non-irritating and/or otherwise easy on the skin and non-adhesive. In the side view, the two surfaces of the skin-contact layer are highlighted: the inner surface 114 and the outer surface 112, wherein the outer surface 112 actually touches the skin of the user. One of the main deficiencies in the prior art is that they contact the skin with an adhesive material. The outer skin-contact layer 110 of the present invention is constructed from a non-adhesive material and/or non-adhesive fabric.
There can be three portions of the outer skin-contact layer 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the three portions are not separated by a line, seam, or other type of separation, and instead, a single piece of skin-contact material is used to construct the outer skin-contact layer 110. In other embodiments, one, two, three, or more pieces of material can be used. In FIG. 5, the right hand portion of the outer skin-contact layer 110 is the entrapment flap portion 120. The central portion of the outer skin-contact layer 110 comprises a portion of the central base core 130. And the left hand portion of the outer skin-contact layer 110 comprises a portion of the securing flap 140. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, these three portions of the outer skin-contact layer (left hand, central, and right hand) are not separated from each other by hinges. However, since the outer skin-contact layer is continuous in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the left hand portion can be considered to be attached to the central portion by a first living hinge and the right hand portion can be considered to be attached to the central portion by a second living hinge. In other embodiments, these continuous portions that comprise the outer-skin contact layer 110 can be discreet components made from the same, similar, or different materials. Thus, the living hinges could be replaced with actual hinges, each of the left hand portion, central portion, and right hand portion could be configured from discreet materials, or any combination of these components is contemplated. However, for ease of manufacture, it is preferred that an outer-skin contact layer 110 be made from a single piece of material that is soft and/or non-irritating and non-adhesive.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, no full-length inner rigidity layer is necessary. Instead, a rigid component 131 is integrated into the central base core 130. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the rigid component 131 is illustrated as comprising two layers: a cushion layer 132 and an inner rigidity layer 134. It is preferable to have the cushion layer 132 be closer to the outer skin-contact layer 110 as illustrated in FIG. 5. However, in other embodiments, the inner rigidity layer 134 could be closer to the outer skin-contact layer.
A first end of the preventer 100 comprises the entrapment flap 120, which can be attached to the central base core 130 by an entrapment hinge (the living hinge described above; such being that portion of the outer-skin contact layer 110 between the entrapment flap 120 and the central base core 130). The entrapment flap is configured so that it can be folded towards the rigid component 131 along the entrapment hinge so as to present a first rounded, soft edge towards the user's skin (see area generally around 30 in FIG. 4).
A second end of the preventer 100 comprises a securing flap 140 which can be attached to the central base core 130 by a securing hinge (the living hinge described above; such being that portion of the outer-skin contact layer 110 between the securing flap 140 and the central base core 130). The securing flap configured so it can be folded over along the securing hinge and towards the rigid cushion so as to present, when so folded, a second rounded, soft edge towards the user's skin (see area generally around 40 in FIG. 4).
The rigid component 131 is more stiff/rigid than the outer skin-contact layer 110. In one embodiment, the rigid component comprises one or more materials which are stiffer/more rigid than the soft outer skin-contact layer 110. In another embodiment, the combination of the materials ensures that the rigid component 131 is more stiff. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, both the cushion layer 132 and the inner rigidity layer 134 are stiffer than the soft outer skin-contact layer 110. In another embodiment, either one or the other of these two layers, but not both, are stiffer than the soft outer skin-contact layer 110. In yet another embodiment, neither the cushion layer 132 nor the inner rigidity layer 134 are stiffer than the outer skin-contact layer 110 separately; but in combination, they comprise the rigid component 131 and the rigid component is stiffer than the outer skin-contact layer 110.
In FIG. 5, the cushion layer 132 functions to spread out any pressure that the cannula 90 applies to the inner rigidity layer 134 (which also spreads out this pressure) before such pressure is transferred through the preventer 100 to the skin of the user. Without the inner rigidity layer 134 and the cushion layer 132, the cannula would press against the soft outer skin-contact layer 110 and still leave indentations on the face of the user. Instead, the pressure from the cannula 90 is spread out across the inner rigidity layer 134, which comprises one or more materials which are stiffer/more rigid than the soft outer skin-contact layer 110. Given the stiffness/rigidity of the inner rigidity layer 134, the cushion layer 132 is extremely helpful in cushioning the inner rigidity layer 134 and thereby insulating the skin from contact with the somewhat rigid edges of the inner rigidity layer 134 and blunting any pressure points that the inner rigidity layer 134 would otherwise be able to place on the user's skin.
As described above concerning cushions, the cushion layer 132 can be foam or some other soft, cushiony material(s). The cushion layer 132 can be attached to the outer skin-contact layer 110 with an adhesive, by heat treatment, or by any other suitable method that does not introduce rigid/hard/irritating aspects to the central base core 130.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, there are two layers that make up the securing flap attachment 141: the adhesive cover 144 and the securing flap adhesive 142. During installation, the adhesive cover 144 is removed, exposing the securing flap adhesive 142 for attachment to the outer skin-contact layer 110 of the entrapment flap 120 once the three portions have been folded together as illustrated in FIG. 4. The securing flap adhesive 142 actually adheres to the outer surface 112 of the outer skin-contact layer 110 when it is folded over (again, see FIG. 4).
Note the round cannula tube 90 is illustrated in FIG. 5 using broken lines. The cannula tube is placed atop and along approximately the center of the inner rigidity layer 134. The entrapment flap 120 can then be folded along the living hinge between it and the central base core 130 to trap the cannula between the entrapment flap 120 and the central base core 130. The securing flap 140 can then be folded along its living hinge with the central base core 130 to secure the cannula in place. The securing flap attachment 141 ensures that the installed preventer 100 is able to keep the cannula in place during repositioning of the user, changing the location of the preventer 100 along the cannula tubing, etc.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer 100 in a pre-installation configuration. The embodiment illustrated in this Figure is configured similarly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. The perspective view of FIG. 6 provides a better view of how beginning to tri-fold the outer skin-contact layer 110 makes the three portions—the entrapment flap portion 120, the central base core 130, and the securing flap 140—apparent as three portions of the preventer 100.
FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a facial skin indentation preventer 100 in a pre-installation configuration. The embodiment in FIG. 7 varies from that in FIGS. 5 and 6 in that the inner rigidity layer 134 comprises two components here versus the single component of FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, the inner rigidity layer 134 is made up of at least a cannula adhesive layer 136 and an adhesive cover layer 138. As before, the rigid component 131 should be more rigid/stiffer than the outer skin-contact layer 110. In this embodiment, the adhesive cover layer 138 can be removed, thereby exposing the cannula adhesive layer 136. The cannula adhesive layer 136 can then be pressed to the cannula 90 and the preventer thereby affixed in place to the cannula 90. Alternatively, the adhesive cover layer 138 can be left in place and it then provides an additional layer of rigidity to disperse the pressures from the cannula across the central base core rather than directly through the soft outer skin-contact layer 110 and to the user's skin.
An additional possible configuration is illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7: the securing flap attachment 141 is positioned on the entrapment flap 120 instead of the securing flap 140. The two layers that make up the securing flap attachment 141 are still the adhesive cover 144 and the securing flap adhesive 142. During installation, the entrapment flap is still folded first over the cannula, and the adhesive cover 144 is then removed, exposing the securing flap adhesive 142. But now, the outer skin-contact layer 110 of the securing flap 120 folds over and adheres to the securing flap adhesive 142 once the three portions have been folded together as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the securing flap adhesive 142 actually adheres to the inner surface 114 of the outer skin-contact layer 110 when it is folded over (again, see FIG. 4).
It should be apparent from the above discussion that any other strap, tube, cord, or material can be wrapped with the preventer 100 and it will ensure the prevention of skin indentation therefrom. Similarly, the preventer 100 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Patent Application
20170360181
