Face rest with gel fill

Abstract

The present invention relates to a face rest comprising an external containment system (“ECS”) having a fixed internal volume that is substantially filled with a gel fill. The face rest may be used alone or may be permanently or removably attached to a therapy table or other apparatus. The ECS may further include an internal containment system with structural extensions forming one or more channels and/or cells, and/or a contoured containment system in the internal portion of the face rest to better accommodate a user's face. Other fill such as foam padding may be included underneath the ECS.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a face rest comprising an external containment system that is substantially filled with a gel fill. The face rest may be used alone, or may be permanently or removably attached to a therapy table or other apparatus. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Face rests, also known as face cushions, face cradles or as a type of headrest, are widely used to provide support to a user's head and neck during a session when the user is in a prone position, or is otherwise positioned so that the user's face is directed downward. Face rests are used in a variety of fields, including without limitation massage therapy, sunbathing, tattooing, chiropractic medicine, homeopathic medicine, and surgery such as cosmetic surgery. [0005] Face rests may be used separately from an apparatus, or may be permanently or removably attached to or incorporated into an apparatus in which, when in use, a u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The present invention relates to a U-shaped face rest comprising an external containment system having a fixed internal volume that is substantially filled with a gel fill. In one embodiment of the present invention, the face rest is made entirely of an external containment system and gel fill. In a further embodiment, an internal containment system is present, with one or more extensions placed within the fixed internal volume of the external containment system that may form one or more channels or cells, for instance to help hold the gel in place and to reduce gel fill displacement within the face rest. In yet another embodiment, the external containment system with gel fill is positioned in the upper portion of the face rest for the most proximate contact with a user's face (with or without an internal containment system) and “other fill” is positioned underneath the external containment system with gel fill, including but not limited to conventional padding such as foam padding used in commercially available face rests.

Problems solved by technology

When in use, the lower portion of the face support deforms, causing pressure against the side of the face of a patient.

One disadvantage of existing face rests is that, with repeated use, face rests filled with foam padding lose elasticity and shape quickly.

Over time, foam or other solid face rest padding will compress and become matted down and hard, so that it does not offer safe and comfortable contact with the user's face during a massage therapy or other session.

If a hard, rigid base structure is present, the hardened, compressed padding of a face rest may allow a user's face to press against the face rest's hard base structure, potentially causing pain or injury to the user.

Use of a hardened or compressed face rest is uncomfortable for the user, and may result in facial injury.

The use of gel covers on a face rest may also be problematic.

Gel covers are thin and may puncture easily and leak on a user.

Gel covers offer little support to a user's face, so that when placed on top of a compressed foam-padding face rest, the user may still experience discomfort and even injury.

Inflatable face rests may develop slow air leaks, requiring constant monitoring even during a single session.

Also, the interior pressure of inflatable face rests may be difficult to adjust or difficult to maintain; too high or too low a pressure inside the face rest may result in discomfort or injury for a user.

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