Abstract:
An article and method of reducing and correcting facial wrinkles on a person when the person is resting one of its faces on a surface, such as a pillow. The article is secured to the person&#39;s head substantially above the face to be protected. The article has a cushioned section having a thickness sufficient to elevate the face a sufficient distance to reduce the pressure on the face from the flat surface when resting thereon.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/177,760 filed May 13, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a head support article for reducing and correcting facial wrinkles that can also be used for stress relief. The present invention also provides a method for doing the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As people age, skin has a natural tendency to lose some of its elasticity and smoothness. These effects are largely attributable to environmental considerations, normal wear and tear, and the genetic make-up of the person. With respect to the environment, a myriad of factors including ultraviolet radiation, pollution, wind, heat, humidity, and harsh chemicals all have been shown to be contributing factors. Choices such as smoking, poor nutrition, excess alcohol consumption and stress have also been shown to accelerate the aging process. These all may be compounded by the genetic make-up of the person. 
         [0004]    It is also known that physical manipulation of the facial structure over long periods of time may similarly affect aging or contribute to the appearance of aging. For example, when a person sleeps on his or her side or stomach, or tosses and turns while sleeping, the person&#39;s face may be pressed into the pillow. This tends to pull, manipulate and wrinkle the skin while sleeping. These effects are often observable in the morning as the skin may have residual wrinkles. 
         [0005]    At a younger age, these wrinkles often fade during the course of the morning, though sometimes over a few hours. As a person ages, however, the deepened wrinkles no longer recede. These wrinkles often deepen as one ages, especially between the nose and cheek area. The forehead and chin area also begin to wrinkle giving a more saggy and droopy appearance. 
         [0006]    New and established products in the wrinkle-fighting industry are well known, many of which are available as lotions, creams, nutritional supplements and the like. Purchasing these products incurs an ongoing cost to customers who spend tens to hundreds of dollars monthly or even weekly. In addition, the use of these products may be time consuming and detract from a person&#39;s valuable daily time, which could be used addressing other priorities. 
         [0007]    Other, and much more radical, approaches to fighting aging are also available and include cosmetic surgery, laser treatment, chemical exfoliation, dermabrasion or skin sanding, collagen injections, and Botulinum Toxin Type A injections. These methods are all significantly more expensive. Often, they must be performed repeatedly to maintain the desired appearance, and, in certain instances, pose significant risks to the person up to and including death. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, an article and method are desirable for reducing and correcting facial wrinkles that is inexpensive and easy to use. The present invention addresses the foregoing needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an article for reducing facial wrinkles when the person is resting a side of his or her face on a surface. The article includes a longitudinally extending head support mountable on a person&#39;s forehead and having first and second ends. The head support is flexible for conforming to the forehead and is of sufficient length between the first and second ends to be capable of extending from a first position on a side of the person&#39;s head approximately above the person&#39;s ear near the temple area, across the person&#39;s forehead, and to a second position approximately above the other ear near the other temple area. The article also includes a means for securing the article to the person&#39;s head, such as a strap. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment the head support includes a cover and at least one insert receivable within the cover. The cover is made of any suitable material that would be comfortable against the subject&#39;s skin. 
         [0011]    The cover is formed to include a bottom portion and a top portion, as well as a first and second ends. In certain embodiments, the bottom portion includes one or more bulge elements, which are used to cover the person&#39;s eyes or otherwise provide counter pressure at or about the person&#39;s eyes. The top portion of the cover may include one or multiple openings for receiving the insert. 
         [0012]    The insert may be formed of one or more fabric pieces folded or otherwise configured to provide a cavity there within. Much like the cover, the insert may be made from any suitable material that would be comfortable against the person&#39;s skin. The insert is filled with a cushion or resiliently compressible fill material, which is used to support the wearer&#39;s head during use. 
         [0013]    In further embodiments, a scented aroma may be embedded or otherwise provided with the article to support aroma therapy. 
         [0014]    The instant invention also relates to a method of reducing facial wrinkles on a person when the person is resting a side of his or her face on a surface, such as a pillow. More specifically an article is secured to the person&#39;s head substantially above the ear on at least a first side of the person&#39;s head. The article includes a cushioned section extending from at least a side forehead area above the first face to an area approximately above the ear. 
         [0015]    When the person rests the side of his or her head against the surface using the foregoing method, the article elevates and/or angles the temple area of the head so as to reduce the pressure from the surface on the face, particularly the cheek area. This is advantageous because it minimizes physical manipulation of the person&#39;s face by the surface and prevents it from causing deepening wrinkles. With repeated use, the instant invention is believed to be capable of minimizing deep set wrinkles that have previously appeared on the face. 
         [0016]    Additional embodiments and advantages will be apparent to one of skill in the art based on the disclosure provided herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view perspective of a person wearing the article of the present invention while sleeping; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of the article of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the article of the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross sectional view of the article of the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention relates to a removable head support article  10  for reducing and correcting facial wrinkles when a person  12  rests his or her face  14  on a surface  16 , such as a pillow (as shown). The device  10  is securable to a person&#39;s head  18  extending from the side of the head  30  in an area generally above the person&#39;s ear  20 , across the forehead  22 , to an area above the opposite ear (against the pillow in  FIG. 1 ) to keep the face  14  elevated or angled away from the surface  16  while the person  12  is sleeping on his or her side. This configuration is believed to lift the temple area of the head  18 , thereby lifting the face  14 , particularly the cheek area, to reduce the pressure on it and thereby minimizing deepening wrinkles as a result of physical manipulation of the facial skin during sleep. It also can, over time, help repair or at least minimize deep set wrinkles that have appeared on the face. 
         [0022]    With further reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , the article  10  of the present invention includes a longitudinally extending head support  24  having a first end  26  and a second end  28 . The head support  24  is preferably flexible for conforming to the head  18 , and is of sufficient length from end  26  to end  28  so as to extend from one side of the head  30  in an area generally and preferably above the person&#39;s ear  20 , across the forehead  22 , to the opposite side of the head (not shown) in an area generally and preferably above the person&#39;s other ear (not shown). It is appreciated that the area above the person&#39;s ear is an approximate position, and that this area includes the area generally above the ear and the person&#39;s temple area. In a more preferred embodiment, the head support  24  does not extend substantially beyond the ears to portions toward the rear of the person&#39;s head. 
         [0023]    The head support  24  should be of sufficient thickness to elevate the temple area, and thereby elevate the face  14  relative to the surface/pillow  16  upon which it rests so as to minimize the pressure from the pillow  16  on the face  14  as further described below. A head securing means  32  for holding the head support  24  on the head, such as the elastic strap  34  shown, is attached to the first and second ends  26 ,  28  of the head support  24  and is preferably formed of first and second elastic sections  34   a  and  34   b  connectable to one another by Velcro connectors  36  or other suitable means as further described below. 
         [0024]    In the illustrated embodiment, the head support  24  includes a cover  38  and removable insert  40 . Cover  38  is formed as a longitudinally extending shaped fabric member having a top  42 , bottom  44 , a first end  46  that defines the end  26  of the head support in the preferred embodiment, and a second end  48  that likewise defines the end  28  of the head support in the preferred embodiment. The cover  38  further forms a cavity  50  via any suitable means such as folding and stitching the fabric as is known in the art. A slit or opening  52  is formed along the top  42  of the cover  38  and is sized to easily receive the insert  40  into the cavity  50 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The slit  52  may include one or more securing members  53 , such as Velcro, to maintain it in a closed position. Other suitable securing means may be used, such as snaps. 
         [0025]    A first face  54  of the cover  38  rests against the skin or forehead of the person  12 , while the second face  56  faces away from the person. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom  44  of the cover  38  may form a pair of rounded ends or extensions  58  separated by a nose recess  60 , as shown, to allow the article  10  to be used optionally to cover the person&#39;s eyes in addition to providing wrinkle relief simply by lowering the head support  24  over the person&#39;s eyes. 
         [0026]    The cover  38  may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials known in the art, particularly materials that are comfortable against the user&#39;s skin. The material is also preferably washable. In one embodiment, the cover  38  is made of cotton material. It may also be manufactured using multiple types of materials, such as a cotton with a woven non roll polyester or the like. In further embodiments, the material(s) may preferably be hypoallergenic. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, the cover  38  is approximately dimensioned as follows: 400 mm in length from end to end ( 46 ,  48 ), 75 mm height at the ends ( 46 ,  48 ), 100 mm at the largest height of the two rounded bottom ends  58 , and the slit  52  opening is 150 mm in length. 
         [0028]    As previously discussed, the head securing means  32  is preferably formed as a strap  34  formed of first and second straps sections  34   a  and  34   b , stitched to the ends  46  and  48  of the cover  38 . The present invention, however, is not limited to such a securing means  32 , and strap elements  34  may be secured together using alternative methods known in the art, such as, but not limited to, snaps, zipper, buckles, and the like. In further embodiments, the strap elements can simply be tied together. Any suitable securing means  32  may be used, including fabrics, laces, elastic materials, etc, and any suitable configuration may be used, such as the two straps sections or a single elastic member. 
         [0029]    The insert  40  of the preferred embodiment is receivable within the cavity  50  through the slit  52 . In this embodiment, the insert  40  conforms to and fills in the shape of the cover  38  so as to complete the head support  24  and provide the thickness of the head support for elevating the temple area. The insert also is preferably made of a resilient cushioning material to provide comfort to the user. While the insert  40  is illustrated as a single integral piece to extend longitudinally from the first end  46  to the second end  48  of the cover  38 , the present invention is not so limited and may be comprised of multiple inserts fixed at designated points within the cover  38 . For example, in one embodiment, a first insert may be adapted to fit within the first end  46  of the cover  38  such that the insert is substantially above the ear on the side of the person&#39;s head. A second insert may also be adapted to fit within the second end  48  of the cover such that the insert is substantially above the ear on the other side of the person&#39;s head. Finally, a third, and optional, insert may be secured within the forehead region of the cover  38  substantially between the first and second ends  46  and  48  of the cover  38 . These three inserts may be separately provided in any combination or otherwise provided as a contiguous or continuous insert (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) to form a cushioned area of the head support  24 . In one embodiment, at least the first and second inserts are provided within the cover  38 . 
         [0030]    The insert  40  is preferably formed from any suitable material that is comfortable, resiliently compressible, and flexible to conform to the shape of the user&#39;s head. In the preferred embodiment, the insert  40  is formed of a removable elongated pillow like member having a fill material similar to that of a pillow. The outer layer  62  can be a cotton material or any other suitable material such as those used for the outer layer of a pillow. The fill material  64  within the outer layer  62  may include, cotton, polyester fiberfill, silicone, gels, combinations thereof, or the like. In further embodiments, the inserts and/or fill material may be hypoallergenic. The fill material  64  is preferably fully enclosed within the outer layer  62 , e.g., the outer layer is stitched closed to prevent the fill material from escaping. 
         [0031]    As previously noted, the head support  24  should be of sufficient thickness to lift the temple area of the user to minimize the pressure on the face  14 , particularly the cheek area of the face, from the surface/pillow  16 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated this is provided with an insert  40  having sufficient fill material  64  to provide the desired thickness. A head support having a thickness greater than about 1 centimeter is believed preferable, and at least approximately 2 centimeters in thickness more preferable, and a thickness of approximately 2.5 centimeters in thickness even more preferable. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the insert is approximately 2.5 to 3 centimeters in thickness to provide the desired thickness for the head support  24  of about the same. In embodiments where a combination of inserts may be used at the first end  46 , second end  48  and/or forehead regions  22 , the insert thickness at each region may be uniform or have variable thickness. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert, in addition to being approximately 2.5 to 3 centimeters in thickness, is approximately 385 mm in length, 50 mm height at the ends  66 ,  68 , and 75 mm at the largest height of the two rounded ends bottom  70 . 
         [0032]    The article  10  of the instant invention may also include an herbal or other similar scent to support aroma therapy for stress relief. Scents may be provided in any known manner such as scented sprays, beads, or other known additives and may be applied to or embedded within the cover or removable insert. In one embodiment, the scents are applied to or embedded within the fabric of the insert. In further embodiments, the scent may be applied or other wise included with the fill material  64 . 
         [0033]    As noted above and illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the article  10  of the present invention is secured to the head  18  of the person such that the head support  24  rests across his or her forehead, and the first end  26  and the second end  28  are at or above the general area of the ear of the subject&#39;s head. Again, this region includes the area of the side of a person&#39;s head above the ear including the temple region and preferably should not extend substantially beyond the ears to portions toward the rear of the person&#39;s head. The fastener elements (e.g. strap  34 ) should be adjusted such that the device fits snuggly and can be worn comfortably. When the person rests his or her head on a surface  16  (e.g. a pillow or mattress) the fill material  64  within the insert  46  provides a compressibly resilient comfortable support between at least the side of the person&#39;s head in the area of the temple and the surface  16 , thus keeping the upper portion of the head elevated or angled. By angled, it is appreciated that if the thickness ends in the area above the ear, e.g., in the temple area, resting against the surface/pillow  16 , this change in thickness from the head area resting directly on the surface  16  to the end of the head support  24  where the thickness begins, helps to slightly angle the head, and thus the face, away from the surface to minimize pressure on the face. Thus, the elevating affect maneuvers and/or redistributes the weight of the head such that the pressure exerted on the face by the surface is minimized. This is advantageous because it minimizes physical manipulation of the person&#39;s face by the surface to reduce and correct wrinkling. 
         [0034]    Placement over or near the temples offers additional supporting counter pressure to this area, thus, providing an additional source of stress relief. In embodiments where the bulge  40  or other portion of the cover  38  are worn over the eyes, the instant invention provides the added benefit of blocking light while sleeping and can provide counter pressure to point at or about the eyes. In embodiments including an herbal or other similar scents, additional stress relief is provided. 
         [0035]    While preferred embodiments have been described above, it is appreciated that other embodiments of the invention are contemplated. For example, the head support could be formed of a single integral member having similar properties as those of the cover  38  and insert  40 , e.g., resilient, compressive, flexible, cushion like, and of suitable material to be comfortable against the skin, and of the preferred thickness. Other configurations are also possible. The article  10  also may provide additional advantages. For example, use of the article  10  may improve the quality of the person&#39;s sleep and make them feel more rested and refreshed in the morning.