SLEEP MASK WITH AROMATHERAPY CAPABILITIES

A sleep mask including a front side, wherein the front side is a layered fabric, a back side, wherein the back side is a layer fabric, a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, an adjustable strap, the strap connected to the left and right sides, eye pockets, wherein the eye pockets are located on the back side, a nasal arch having a top, a first side, and a second side, wherein the nasal arch is located substantially in the center of the bottom, a light shield, the light shield attached around the nasal arch on the back side, and two diffuser holders fixedly attached to the first and second sides of the nasal arch, wherein each diffuser holder has an interior cavity and an opening, wherein the opening is smaller than the interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is adapted to receive diffuser material.

The present teachings relate to a sleep mask with an attached aromatherapy diffuser. More particularly, a mask worn over the eyes that can be used portably during any time of rest, and has the ability to hold different aromatherapy oils interchangeably using an attached diffuser holder.

The present teachings generally relate to both sleep masks and aromatherapy, as examples only. It is to be understood that the present teachings can be used with any device chosen using sound engineering judgment. Sleep masks are used by many individuals, both at home and during times of travel. These masks can be worn over the user's eyes and extend downwardly over the face to provide a darkened environment, which is most optimal for rest and relaxation. Aromatherapy is a rapidly growing area of interest for many essential oil enthusiasts. Aromatherapy is the aromatic use of essential oils for their therapeutic benefits, which include physical and mental wellbeing. The positive benefits of both sleep masks and aromatherapy create the need for a product that combines both.

The present teachings use a sleep mask with attached aromatherapy diffuser holders for use with essential oils. The mask can be made from various suitable fabrics (with some non-limiting examples being cotton, felt, polyester, and silk) layered together to create a comfortable light blocking mask. An adjustable or fixed size strap centrally attached to the left and right side of the mask can be used to secure it over the user's eyes. The mask will also have one or more holders for an oil diffusing material (with some non-limiting examples being wool, cotton, lava stone, and wood). These holders will be located on the lower half of the mask near the nasal arch, and can be made from any material that will not deteriorate upon contact with the oils (with one non-limiting example being silicone). The diffuser material can be easily removed and replaced as desired to meet the user's aromatherapy scent needs.

Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4show a mask100with layered fabric101shaped to fit a user's head200, over the user's eyes, and extend downwardly with a contour located near a nasal arch104. The layered fabric101has a stitched trim102that wraps along the outer edge of the mask100and prevents the edges of the layered fabric101from separating. An adjustable elastic strap301shown inFIG. 3is centrally attached to the left and right sides103a,103bof the mask100. This strap301can be adjusted in size to be secured around the user's head200using an adjustable hook and loop tab302as seen inFIG. 3. In this aspect of the present teachings, the strap has a first end301aand a second end301b, which are connected together with the adjustable hook and loop tab302. It is to be understood that any means of attaching the mask100to the user's head200can be used, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment. The strap301could be all one piece, made of as stretchable material, such that the mask100could utilized on various size and shape of user's head200. The mask100could also be attached to a user's head200in ways other than the strap301described herein, as long as the mask100can be secured to the user's head200.

With continuing reference toFIGS. 1-4, diffuser holders105are located on each side104a,104bof the nasal arch104. The diffuser holders105can be made of a durable silicone and feature a hollow cavity106that has the ability to hold any appropriately sized diffuser pad or lava stone (shown but not referenced). An opening in the diffuser holders105is slightly smaller than the cavity106to securely hold the diffuser material, and prevent the diffuser material from falling out of the diffuser holders105. The diffuser holders105are either fixedly or removable attached to the mask100, and can be attached in any manner chosen using sound engineering judgment. Although in one aspect of the present teaching, the diffuser holders105are made of silicone, the diffuser holder105can be made of any material sufficiently designed to hold the diffuser material. The diffuser material (lava stone, pad, etc.) can be inserted and removed from the hollow cavity106in the diffuser holder105as often as desired by the user. Although in this aspect of the present teachings, the diffuser holders are located on the sides104a,104bof the nasal arch104, it is to be understood that there could be only one diffuser holder105, or more than two diffuser holders105, and that the diffuser holders105could be located anywhere on the mask100, as long as the user can detect the diffuser material. In another aspect of the present teachings, the diffuser holders105could be flaps sewn into the mask100, wherein the diffuser holders105would still have cavity106for holding the diffuser material. The flaps could be selectively openable such that the diffuser material could be held inside the cavity106.

With continuing reference toFIGS. 1-4, the reverse side of the mask100can be made from a smooth satin or silk fabric layer201. The reverse side has recessed eye pockets202centrally located on the left and right sides103a,103bof the mask100. The eye pockets202can be deep enough to not apply pressure to the user's eyes when worn. A light blocking shield203is attached just above the nasal arch104. The shield203follows the trim102, starting from the bottom center of the left side103aof the mask100, around the top of the nasal arch104, and concluding at the bottom center of the right side103bof the mask100. The layered fabric101and fabric layer201can be made of any material chosen using sound engineering judgment, that would be flexible and comfortable for the user. The shield203is made of flexible material such that when on the user's head, the shield203conforms to the shape of the user's nose, thereby preventing light from seeping under the nasal arch104of the mask100.

Clause 1—A sleep mask comprising a front side, wherein the front side is a layered fabric, a back side, wherein the back side is a layer fabric, a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, an adjustable strap, the strap connected to the left and right sides, eye pockets, wherein the eye pockets are located on the back side, a nasal arch having a top, a first side, and a second side, wherein the nasal arch is located substantially in the center of the bottom, a light shield, the light shield attached around the nasal arch on the back side, and two diffuser holders fixedly attached to the first and second sides of the nasal arch, wherein each diffuser holder has an interior cavity and an opening, wherein the opening is smaller than the interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is adapted to receive diffuser material.

Clause 2—A mask comprising a front side, a back side, a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, and at least one diffuser holder, wherein the at least one diffuser holder has an interior cavity.

Clause 3—The mask of clause 2, wherein the mask further comprises an adjustable strap, wherein the strap is connected to the left and right sides.

Clause 4—The mask of clauses 2 or 3, wherein the mask further comprises a nasal arch having a top, a first side, and a second side, wherein the nasal arch is located substantially in the center of the bottom.

Clause 5—The mask of clauses 2-4, wherein the mask further comprises a light shield, the light shield attached around the nasal arch on the back side.

Clause 6—The mask of clauses 2-5, wherein the mask further comprises eye pockets, wherein the eye pockets are located on the back side.

Clause 7—The mask of clauses 2-6, wherein the at least one diffuser holder is at least two diffuser holders fixedly attached to the first and second sides of the nasal arch, wherein each diffuser holder has an opening, wherein the opening is smaller than the interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is adapted to receive diffuser material.

Clause 8—The mask of clauses 2-7, wherein the front side and the back side are made of layered fabric.

Clause 9—The mask of clauses 2-8, wherein the layered fabric is silk or satin.

Clause 10—A method for using a sleep mask for aromatherapy, the method comprising the steps of providing a sleep mask comprising a front side, a back side, a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, and at least one diffuser holder, wherein the at least one diffuser holder has an interior cavity, inserting diffuser material into the at least one diffuser holder, and applying the sleep mask to a user's head.

The various aspects have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of the present teachings. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. Although the description above contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present teachings, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the aspects of the present teachings. Various other aspects and ramifications are possible within its scope.