Patent Publication Number: US-2017360181-A1

Title: Facial skin indentation preventer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/052,357 entitled FACIAL SKIN INDENTATION PREVENTER and filed on Feb. 24, 2016, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches. 
    
    
     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&#39;s facial skin causing red, irritated indentations or “lines” across the wearer&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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.