Abstract:
A sleep shield apparatus that can provide privacy, peacefulness, and protection in a public environment such as an airplane, airport, bus, or train is provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     There has been a trend in the airline industry of increased delays to destinations. Accordingly, travelers often experience long periods of time in the airport. Furthermore, flights to certain destinations (e.g., a non-stop flight to another country such as China) can be very long. Long delays and long trips also are common in other transportation industries such as ground and rail. During long delays or long trips, a traveler may desire to rest including sleep, but oftentimes the traveler cannot find private accommodations. Accordingly, the traveler must attempt to rest in public where the traveler is surrounded by uncomfortable distractions such as lights, noise, and other people. 
     While resting in public areas, travelers may desire some minimum level of privacy, peacefulness, and protection. For example, some travelers may desire to avoid being viewed while sleeping. In a close environment such as an airplane, bus, or train, a traveler may find it uncomfortable to sleep publicly next to a stranger. A traveler may also want to filter light and/or sound for a more peaceful rest. Still further, some travelers may feel better protected (e.g., from germs) if their orifices, such as their mouths, are shielded while sleeping. 
     Travelers typically resort to placing a coat (or blanket if available) over their head to cover their face for privacy, peacefulness, and/or protection. However, these items are usually heavy and may easily fall off when the traveler moves even slightly. These items also are not designed to be placed over the head and face. Therefore, when these items are placed over the head, breathing can be difficult due to the lack of airflow and the temperature underneath the items can rise to an uncomfortable level. 
     Products designed for sleeping, such as eye covers to suppress light to the eyes, are limited because they only cover the eyes and do not provide concealment or protection to other parts of the face or body. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,874,385 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,836 disclose an eye cover that only covers the eyes. 
     Products that cover the face typically are designed for active use, for example, for use while skiing or transporting harmful materials. Accordingly, these active-wear face covers do not cover the eyes but instead provide means for the users to see while engaging in an activity. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,119,439; 2,669,717 4,259,748; 5,617,584 are all illustrative of such active-wear face covers. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a sleeping apparatus that can provide privacy, peacefulness, and protection in a public environment. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a sleep shield apparatus includes an eye shield portion, at least one strap for securing the eye shield to the face, and a lower portion. In one embodiment, the eye shield portion is constructed of a material that fully blocks light from reaching a user&#39;s eyes. The sleep shield may also comprise an eye cover attached to the eye shield portion. In one embodiment, the lower portion is configured to cover a lower portion of the face. In another embodiment, the lower portion is configured to cover a portion of the upper torso. In yet another embodiment, the lower portion is configured to cover the upper torso and the arms similar to a blanket. The lower portion may include a storage unit. In one embodiment, the sleep shield includes a nose opening between the eye shield portion and the lower portion and may include a nose cover and/or a nose bridge. 
     Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of a sleeping apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a front view of a sleeping apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of a sleeping apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary use of a sleeping apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a sleeping apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a sleeping apparatus  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The outer surface (i.e., the surface facing away from the user) and inner surface (i.e., the surface in contact with the user) of the sleeping apparatus  100  may be constructed of any material. However, preferably, the outer surface is constructed of knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, or a similar material. Preferably, the inner surface is constructed of a soft material such as satin, cotton, micro-fiber, soft synthetic, or a soft natural material. 
     The sleeping apparatus  100  may consist of an eye shield portion  110 , lower portion  120 , and a head strap  140 . The eye shield portion  110  covers the user&#39;s eyes. The lower portion  120  may cover the lower portion of the user&#39;s face and neck or may extend further down to also cover the user&#39;s torso or cover the user similar to a blanket. For example, the lower portion  120  may be proportioned to cover the user&#39;s mouth, chin, neck, arms, torso, as well as drape around the sides of the user&#39;s face. Although  FIG. 1  illustrates one size and shape, the lower portion  120  may be any size (for example as discussed above with respect to the length) or shape. For instance, a lower edge  180  of the lower portion  120  may be curved, straight, or any other shape or design. The head strap  140  secures the eye shield portion  110  to the user&#39;s face. 
     The sleep shield  100  also may include an opening  190  between the eye shield portion  110  and the lower portion  120 . In one embodiment, the width of the opening  190  may be about the length between the nostril and upper lip. The sleep shield  100  may be positioned on the user&#39;s head such that the opening  190  is at or near the user&#39;s nose to allow the user to breathe more comfortably. The top of the opening  190  may be shaped to fit the contour of the user&#39;s nose. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a nose bridge  130  may be added to shape and maintain the nose opening into a comfortable position for the user. The nose bridge  130  may be made from a malleable material such as aluminum or other metal or material. A nose cover  160  may be attached to the sleep shield  100 . The nose cover  160  may cover the bridge and bottom of the user&#39;s nose. The cover may be made from a silky, smooth material such as satin. 
     Typically, the outer surface of the eye shield portion  110  and lower portion  120  are made from the same material. Similarly, the inner surface of the eye shield portion  110  and lower portion  120  are typically made from the same material. However, the sleeping apparatus  100  may be constructed of a number of different materials according to the principles of the inventions. The outer and/or inner surface of the sleeping apparatus  100  may be constructed of a material to prevent light from reaching the user&#39;s eyes. As shown in  FIG. 1B , depending on the material used for the outer and/or inner surface, it may be desirable to add an additional eye cover  115  on top of the eye shield portion  110  to further block light. The eye cover  115  may be permanently attached or detachable from the sleep shield  100 . In one embodiment, the eye shield portion  110  and/or the eye cover  115  may be cupped or convex so that the inner surface of the eye shield portion  110  is at an appropriate distance from the user&#39;s eyes to allow for eye movement (e.g., rapid eye movement during sleep). 
     The head strap  140  may include a first attaching means  145 A and a second attaching means  140 B that together form any conventional attaching mechanism such as Velcro® or buttons. For instance, the first attaching means  140 A may consists of hooks and the second attaching means  140 B may consists of loops. Alternatively, the straps  140 A, B of the head strap  140  may be used to secure the sleep shield  100  to the user&#39;s head by for example tying the straps  140 A, B into a knot. The straps  140 A, B may be connected to form one continuous strap from one side of the sleep shield  100  to the other side. The head strap  140  may be elastic. In one embodiment of the invention, the head strap  140  may include noise inhibiting ear plugs to be inserted in the user&#39;s ears. The ear plugs may be detachable or permanently connected to the head strap  140 . The head strap  140  may be detachable from the sleep shield  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the sleeping apparatus  100  may includes a storage unit  300 . In one embodiment, the storage unit  300  is located on the inner surface of the lower portion  120 . The storage unit  300  may be used to store a broad range of items including, but not limited to, a plane ticket, identification such as a driver&#39;s license, ear plugs, or an electronic device such as a portable audio device (such as a mp3 player), a small radio, a cell phone, PDA, or like devices.  FIG. 3  illustrates a user storing a portable audio device in storage unit  300  to listen to music while relaxing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sleep shield  100  may includes text or a graphical design  390 . The text or graphical design  390  may be a logo, picture, trademark, or any other graphic or text. The graphic or text may be located anywhere on the sleep shield. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the forgoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, others in the travel industry (e.g., pilots, flight attendants, etc.) that need to rest between shifts may benefit from the sleep shield  100 . Still further, the sleep shield  100  may be used by professionals (e.g., doctors) and other employees in a work environment such as an office or designated rest area. The sleep shield  100  also may be used in a private environment such as at home to shield light and noise while resting. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.