Headgear for an eye mask

Abstract

This disclosure concerns a strap for a positioning and stabilising structure for an eye mask, the positioning and stabilising structure configured to provide a force to hold an eye component of the eye mask in an in-use position on the user's head during use of the eye mask, the strap comprising: a body having a length, a width transverse to the length, and a pair of end portions at opposite ends of the length, the end portions being constructed and arranged to connect to the eye component of the eye mask in use; wherein the body of the strap comprises a user-facing surface configured to engage the user's hair and / or skin in use, the user-facing surface having a first surface portion and a second surface portion, the first surface portion providing a first coefficient of friction between the strap and the user's hair or skin, the second surface portion providing a second coefficient of friction between the strap and the user's hair or skin, the second coefficient of friction being greater than the first coefficient of friction.

Description

[0001] Headgear for an Eye Mask

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates, in general terms, to headgear for an eye mask.

[0004] Background

[0005] Sleep is an important component to an individual's wellbeing, growth and vitality. It is also important in today's overstimulated and highly stressed world. In particular, maintaining the wholeness and wholesomeness of the sleep / wake cycle day-to-day and month-to- month is essential to preserve personal well-being and happiness as well as the productivity and good order of society at large. Ideally, the rhythm of the sleep / wake cycle would be governed by the natural order of each day's sunrise and sunset. The artificial routines of modern personal and social life, however, have eclipsed the rhythms of nature making it more difficult to wake up and go to sleep at appointed times the more the exigencies of one's own routines are in conflict with the natural cycle of things.

[0006] Eye masks with a light-tight design which provides a condition of total darkness are known to help stimulate melatonin production and thus serve to promote a state of sleep. However, current eye masks may be uncomfortable, especially for a side sleeper, or too heavy or cumbersome to use.

[0007] Certain eye masks may be uncomfortable or impractical, for example, if used for prolonged time periods. Certain eye masks can be complicated for users to attach and to correctly position on the head for effective use.

[0008] If an eye mask is not held on the user's head securely in use, it may fall off or out of position, which may be uncomfortable and / or interfere with sleeping.

[0009] As a consequence of these challenges, some eye masks suffer from being one or more of obtrusive, aesthetically undesirable, costly, poorly fitting, difficult to use, and uncomfortable especially when worn for long periods of time or when a user is unfamiliar with a system.

[0010] It would be desirable to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the above-described problems, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Summary

[0011] The present technology is directed towards providing devices used in the screening, diagnosis, monitoring, amelioration, treatment, or prevention of respiratory and / or sleep disorders, and / or monitoring and / or improvement of sleep health generally, having one or more of improved comfort, cost, efficacy, ease of use and manufacturability.

[0012] A first aspect of the present technology relates to apparatus used in the screening, diagnosis, monitoring, amelioration, treatment or prevention of a respiratory and / or sleep disorder.

[0013] Another aspect of the present technology relates to methods used in the screening, diagnosis, monitoring, amelioration, treatment or prevention of a respiratory and / or sleep disorder.

[0014] An aspect of certain forms of the present technology is to provide methods and / or apparatus that improve the compliance of users with respiratory and / or sleep therapy.

[0015] An aspect of certain forms of the present technology is to provide methods and / or apparatus that improve the quality of sleep of users.

[0016] Another aspect of the present technology is a strap for a positioning and stabilising structure for an eye mask, the positioning and stabilising structure configured to provide a force to hold an eye component of the eye mask in an in-use position on the user's head during use of the eye mask, the strap comprising : a body having a length, a width transverse to the length, and a pair of end portions at opposite ends of the length, the end portions being constructed and arranged to connect to the eye component of the eye mask in use; wherein the body of the strap comprises a user-facing surface configured to engage the user's hair and / or skin in use, the user-facing surface having a first surface portion and a second surface portion, the first surface portion providing a first coefficient of friction between the strap and the user's hair or skin, the second surface portion providing a second coefficient of friction between the strap and the user's hair or skin, the second coefficient of friction being greater than the first coefficient of friction.

[0017] In examples: the second coefficient of friction is within the range of 0. 1-1.1 or within the range of 0.2-1;

[0018] • the second coefficient of friction is within the range of 0.6-1. 1 or within the range of 0.7-1 or within the range of 0.8-1;

[0019] • the second coefficient of friction is within the range of 0. 1-0.7 or within the range of 0.2-0.6;

[0020] • the body of the strap is bifurcated;

[0021] • the body of the strap is formed at least partially from a first material, the first material being a textile, the first surface portion being formed at least partially by the first material;

[0022] • the interior of the body of the strap is formed from foam;

[0023] • the second surface portion is transparent;

[0024] • the second surface portion extends along the length of the body of the strap;

[0025] • the second surface portion is positioned centrally with respect to the width of the body of the strap and the user-facing surface comprises a pair of first surface portions extending parallel to the second surface portion on opposite adjacent sides of the second surface portion across the width of the strap;

[0026] • the user-facing surface is formed by a plurality of second surface portions extending along the length of the body of the strap, the second surface portions being separated across the width of the body of the strap by a plurality of first surface portions;

[0027] • the plurality of second surface portions comprises one second surface portion provided centrally with respect to the width of the body of the strap and a pair of second surface portions provided at opposite edges of the width of the strap;

[0028] • the pair of second surface portions provided at opposite edges of the width of the strap are narrower than the second surface portion provided centrally;

[0029] • the second surface portion is formed at least partially by a second material different to the first material;

[0030] • the second material is an elastomeric material;

[0031] • the second material is silicone;

[0032] • the second material is rubber;

[0033] • the second material is woven into the first material;

[0034] • the second material comprises a TPU yarn;

[0035] • the second material is coated over the first material to form a coated area;

[0036] • the second material is coated over the first material and the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of second surface portions each in the form of a coated area;

[0037] • the coated area is circular;

[0038] • the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas forming a circle;

[0039] • the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of groups of coated areas; • each group of coated areas is spaced from an adjacent group of coated areas by a first surface portion;

[0040] • each group of coated areas expands across substantially the full width of the body of the strap and is spaced from an adjacent group of coated areas along the length of the body of the strap by a first surface portion;

[0041] • each group of coated areas has a dimension aligned with the width of the body of the strap, said dimension being greater than or equal to half the width of the body of the strap;

[0042] • each group of coated areas has a dimension aligned with the width of the body of the strap, said dimension being less than half the width of the body of the strap;

[0043] • the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas extending along the length of the body of the strap;

[0044] • the group is located centrally with respect to the width of the body of the strap and spaced from opposite edges of the body of the strap by first surface portions;

[0045] • the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas in the form of a bullseye pattern;

[0046] • the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of groups of coated areas each in the form of a bullseye pattern;

[0047] • the bullseye pattern has a diameter greater than or equal to half of the width of the body of the strap;

[0048] • the bullseye pattern has a diameter less than half the width of the body of the strap;

[0049] • the bullseye pattern has a diameter less than or equal to a third of the width of the body of the strap; and / or

[0050] • the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas forming a rectangle.

[0051] Forms of the present technology comprise an eye mask, comprising : a) an eye component positionable over at least orbital regions of a face of a user and configured to block light to eyes of the user; and c) a positioning and stabilising structure for attaching the eye mask to the user's face, the positioning and stabilising structure comprising a strap according to any one of the above aspects or examples.

[0052] The positioning and stabilising structure may be attached to, and / or extend from or be contiguous with, the eye component.

[0053] In one form of the present technology, the eye component is formed from a material selected from perforated textile, breathable foam, elastic fabric material, or a combination thereof. In one form of the present technology, the positioning and stabilising structure is at least partially formed from a material selected from a perforated textile, elastic fabric material, or a combination thereof.

[0054] Of course, portions of the aspects may form sub-aspects of the present technology. Also, various ones of the sub-aspects and / or aspects may be combined in various manners and also constitute additional aspects or sub-aspects of the present technology.

[0055] Other features of the technology will be apparent from consideration of the information contained in the following detailed description, abstract, drawings and claims.

[0056] Brief description of the drawings

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings in which :

[0058] Fig. 1A shows a side view of an eye mask according to one example of the present technology.

[0059] Fig. IB shows a perspective view of a strap of the eye mask of FIG. 1A.

[0060] Figs. 2A-2N are schematic views of straps according to examples of the present technology.

[0061] Detailed description

[0062] Before the present technology is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited to the particular examples described herein, which may vary. It will be appreciated that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects of the described embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing only the particular examples discussed herein, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0063] The following description is provided in relation to various examples which may share one or more common characteristics and / or features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combinable with one or more features of another example or other examples. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the examples may constitute a further example. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0064] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the phrase "consisting essentially of", and variations such as "consists essentially of" will be understood to indicate that the recited element(s) is / are essential i.e. necessary elements of the invention. The phrase allows for the presence of other nonrecited elements which do not materially affect the characteristics of the invention but excludes additional unspecified elements which would affect the basic and novel characteristics of the method defined.

[0065] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0066] Eye Mask

[0067] The eye mask in accordance with one aspect of the present technology comprises the following functional aspects: an eye component positionable over at least orbital regions of a face of a user and configured to block light to eyes of the user, and a positioning and stabilising structure for retaining the eye mask on the user's face. In some forms a functional aspect may be provided by one or more physical components. In some forms, one physical component may provide one or more functional aspects. In use, the eye component blocks out light to the user's eyes and may also engage the user's face around the eyes.

[0068] The eye mask in accordance with one form of the present technology is constructed and arranged to be able to provide comfort to the user in use, including by blocking out light.

[0069] Eye Component

[0070] At least part of the eye component may be resiliently stretchable to enable it to be readily fitted to the user's head, and to accommodate a variety of different head sizes. In some embodiments, the entirety of the eye mask may be stretchable in at least a radial direction. In one form of the present technology, the eye component is sized to block light to the eyes of the user. In this regard, in use, the eye component is sized such that it covers at least orbital regions of a face of a user. The orbital region includes a supra-orbital region. The eye component may be configured to block light to eyes of the user. The eye component may be sized to cover more than the orbital regions of the user's face. The eye component may be sized to further cover a portion of an infra-orbital region of the user in use. The eye component may be sized to further cover a portion of a nasal region of the user. The eye component may be sized to further cover a portion of a zygomatic region of the user. The eye component may be sized to further cover a forehead of the user. An oversized eye component may double up as a pillow and provide comfort to the user. The eye component may also engage some or all of the portions of the user's face that it covers.

[0071] In one form of the present technology, the eye component is formed from a perforated, light blocking fabric material or composite material. The eye component may be made breathable, so as to provide comfort to the user. The eye component may be formed from a material selected from perforated textile, breathable foam and / or fiber. Fabrics that are naturally thick and dense may also be used, such as velvet, heavy cotton, or woven jacquard. These fabrics have a tighter weave or a heavier weight, which helps to minimise the amount of light that can penetrate the material. Alternatively, a fabric composite material may be used. The composite material may be a laminated material.

[0072] In some forms of the present technology, the eye component is formed from an elastic fabric material. For example, polyester, cotton, spandex, or nylon may be used, which may be further laminated with another fabric to increase its light blocking properties.

[0073] Positioning and Stabilising Structure

[0074] The eye mask comprises a positioning and stabilizing structure for retaining the eye mask on the user's head. The positioning and stabilizing structure may be responsible for providing forces to counter gravitational forces of the eye component in use. Structures that exert a clamping pressure on the user's face can result in user discomfort at localised stress points so should be avoided. Some previous eye masks may be difficult to adjust, or may be un-adjustable, so may not allow wide application to different head sizes.

[0075] The eye component of the eye mask of the present technology may be held in a contact position in use by the positioning and stabilising structure.

[0076] In some forms the positioning and stabilising structure provides a retention force at least sufficient to hold the eye mask in contact with the user's face. In some forms the positioning and stabilising structure provides a retention force to overcome the effect of the gravitational force on the eye mask.

[0077] In some forms the positioning and stabilising structure provides a retention force as a safety margin to overcome the potential effect of disrupting forces on the eye mask, such as from accidental interference with the eye mask.

[0078] In some forms of the present technology, a positioning and stabilising structure is provided that is configured in a manner consistent with being worn by a user while sleeping. In one example the positioning and stabilising structure has a low profile, or low cross-sectional thickness, to reduce the perceived or actual bulk of the apparatus. In one example, the positioning and stabilising structure comprises at least one strap having a rectangular cross-section. In one example the positioning and stabilising structure comprises at least one flat strap.

[0079] In one form of the present technology, the positioning and stabilising structure is configured so as not to be too large and bulky to prevent the user from lying in a supine sleeping position with a back region of the user's head on a pillow.

[0080] In one form of the present technology, the positioning and stabilising structure is configured so as not to be too large and bulky to prevent the user from lying in a side sleeping position with a side region of the user's head on a pillow.

[0081] In one form of the present technology, the positioning and stabilising structure has a width substantially similar to the eye component. In other forms of the present technology, the positioning and stabilising structure has a width smaller than a width of the eye component.

[0082] For example, the positioning and stabilising structure may have a width of about 10 mm to about 100 mm, or about 15-50mm or about 20-40mm. The positioning and stabilising structure may have a thickness of about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

[0083] The positioning and stabilising structure may be attached to the eye component, and may provide a resilient force such that the eye component is comfortably urged against the user's face. For example, the positioning and stabilising structure may be attached to opposed ends of the eye component. In one form of the present technology, a positioning and stabilising structure comprises a strap. The eye component may be attached to the strap at ends thereof.

[0084] In one form of the present technology, the positioning and stabilising structure comprises a strap that is extensible, e.g. resiliency extensible. For example the strap may be configured in use to be in tension. The positioning and stabilising structure may comprise adjustable means for extending the strap.

[0085] Strap construction

[0086] Fig. 1A shows an eye mask 9000 according to one example of the present technology. The eye mask 9000 comprises components as disclosed elsewhere herein, including an eye component 9200 and positioning and stabilising structure 3300. The positioning and stabilising structure 3300 comprises a strap 3310. In this example the strap 3310 is constructed and arranged to overlie the posterior of the user's head, connecting between the opposite sides of the eye component 9200. Fig. IB shows the strap 3310 in isolation.

[0087] In the example shown in Fig. 1A, the strap 3310 is a single length of strap. In other examples the strap 3310 may be bifurcated.

[0088] The strap 3310 shown in Fig. 1A and IB and straps 3310 according to other examples of the present technology form part of a positioning and stabilising structure 3300 for an eye mask 9000. The positioning and stabilising structure 3300 may be configured to provide a force to hold an eye component of the eye mask in an in-use position on the user's head during use of the eye mask, for example during sleep.

[0089] The strap 3310 may comprise a body 3313 (e.g. the material and structure forming the strap 3310. The body 3313 may have a length, a width transverse to the length, and a pair of end portions 3315 at opposite ends of the length. The end portions 3315 may be constructed and arranged to connect to a portion of the eye mask 9000 in use. For example, the end portions 3315 may connect to one or more components of the eye mask 9000, such as an eye component 9200, or of a positioning and stabilising structure 3300 thereof. The strap 3310 may then form part of the eye mask 9000. In some examples the end portions 3315 may be passed through slots or buckles and may be looped back and secured to the body 3313 of the strap 3310, for example with a hook-and-loop connection. In other examples an end portion 3315 may form a mechanical connection such as a releasable snap fit with a component of the eye mask 9000 or of the eye component 9200, or with another positioning and stabilising structure 3300 component, and may do so with a snap connector or other press fit connector. In further examples an end portion 3315 may be secured to the body 3313 of a strap 3310 by another means, such as with a magnetic connection or a buckle, such as a ladder lock buckle.

[0090] In some forms of the present technology, the body 3313 of the strap 3310 comprises a user-facing surface configured to engage the user's hair and / or skin in use, the user-facing surface having a first surface portion 3311 and a second surface portion 3312, the first surface portion 3311 providing a first coefficient of friction between the strap 3310 and the user's hair or skin, the second surface portion 3312 providing a second coefficient of friction between the strap 3310 and the user's hair or skin. The second coefficient of friction may be greater than the first coefficient of friction.

[0091] The strap 3310 may be formed partially or mostly by material forming the first surface portion(s) 3311 and which provides the strap 3310 with desirable overall properties such as elasticity, strength, appearance and low friction providing for a comfortable feel. However, advantageously, the strap 3310 may also comprise one or more second surface portions 3312 providing for higher friction than would be provided by the first surface portion(s) 3311 alone. The second surface portions 3312 may help hold the strap 3310 in place, helping prevent it from moving (e.g. slipping off or riding up / down) on the user's hair or skin, or at least do so under a wider range of disruptive forces than the strap 3310 would otherwise be able to withstand without higher friction second surface portions 3312. This may advantageously provide for a comfortable yet stable eye mask 9000.

[0092] In some examples, the second coefficient of friction may be within the range of 0. 1-1.1 or within the range of 0.2-1. The actual amount of friction desired in a strap 3310 of a particular eye mask 9000 may depend on the overall design of the positioning and stabilising structure 3300 and eye mask 9000, as well as the size of the positioning and stabilising structure 3300 and user preference. For example, a positioning and stabilising structure 3300 comprising a single strap 3310 may benefit from higher added friction than a positioning and stabilising structure 3300 comprising multiple straps 3310.

[0093] It is to be understood that the features of the straps 3310 disclosed herein may be provided to any strap portion of a positioning and stabilising structure 3300, including but not limited to straps engaging the user's head proximate the parietal bones, proximate the occipital bone or lying against the user's head proximate the temporal bones, by way of example only.

[0094] In some examples, the second coefficient of friction may be within the range of 0.6-1. 1 or within the range of 0.7-1 or within the range of 0.8-1. These options may be applied in straps 3310 intended to provide for high friction.

[0095] In further examples the second coefficient of friction is within the range of 0. 1-0.7 or within the range of 0.2-0.6. These options may be applied in straps 3310 intended to provide for low friction.

[0096] The actual coefficient of friction within the exemplary ranges above for a user at a particular time may depend on how much moisture is present, hair style, personal skin and hair properties, and the like. Furthermore, the actual friction between a strap 3310 and the user will depend on the amount of second surface portion 3312 area on the strap 3310 in comparison to the area of the first surface portion 3311. Various exemplary designs are disclosed below by way of example. Some designs provide for higher friction than others. More area of the strap 3310 formed by the second surface portion(s) 3312 may provide for higher friction than if less area of the strap 3310 is formed by the second surface portion(s) 3312.

[0097] In some examples, the body of the strap 3310 is formed at least partially from a first material, the first material being a textile (e.g. knitted, woven or the like). The first surface portion 3311 may be formed at least partially by the first material. The first material may, in examples, be one or more of polyester, elastane, Nylon, polypropylene or the like. The first material forming the first surface portion 3311 may be a blend of materials, for example nylon and elastane. In some examples the first material is elastic and the strap 3310 is elastically extendable.

[0098] In some examples, the interior of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 is formed from foam. The foam may be covered on both sides by the first material. In other examples the strap 3310 may be formed by one, two, or more layers of textile material.

[0099] In some examples, the second surface portion 3312 is transparent. This may advantageously make the second surface portion 3312 less conspicuous and, for examples in which the first material is a textile material, may help maintain the textile appearance of the strap 3310. Textiles may provide for an appearance consistent with bedclothes and may be perceived as comfortable.

[0100] In some forms of the present technology, the second surface portion 3312 is formed at least partially by a second material different to the first material. In some examples, the second material is an elastomeric material. For example, the second material may be silicone, rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or another elastomer or material behaving like an elastomer. In some examples the second material may be a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The second material in some forms is elastically extendable (e.g. stretchable). Advantageously, such a second material may not prevent the first material from extending. That is, both the first material and the second material may be elastically extendable to provide for an elastically extendable strap 3310 which also has the non- slip / increased friction properties provided by the addition of the second material to first material.

[0101] Second surface portions

[0102] Figs. 2A-2N show schematic representations of user-facing surfaces of straps 3310 according to examples of the present technology.

[0103] In some examples, such as the examples shown in Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2G, 21 and 2N, the second surface portion 3312 extends along the length of the body 3313 of the strap 3315. As shown in Figs. 2A and 21 for example, the second surface portion 3312 is positioned centrally with respect to the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 and the user-facing surface comprises a pair of first surface portions 3311 extending parallel to the second surface portion 3312 on opposite adjacent sides of the second surface portion 3312 across the width of the strap 3310. In some examples the strap 3310 may comprise first surface portions 3311 along the edges of the body 3313 of the strap, which may have a width of l-5mm, for example within the range of 2-3mm.

[0104] In the examples shown in Figs. 2B, 2C and 2G, the user-facing surface is formed by a plurality of second surface portions 3312 extending along the length of the body 3313 of the strap 3310. In these examples the second surface portions 3312 are separated across the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 by a plurality of first surface portions 3311. Fig. 2N shows a similar arrangement in which two second surface portions 3312 are separated by a single first surface portion 3311 across the width dimension of the strap 3310. The examples shown in Figs. 2B, 2C and 2G may provide for straps 3310 with higher friction, while the example in Fig. 2N may provide for a strap 3310 with lower friction, as less area is occupied by the second material. For the same reason, Figs. 2A-2I show straps 3310 providing high friction while Figs. 2J-2N show straps 3310 providing lower friction.

[0105] In some examples, the plurality of second surface portions 3312 comprises one second surface portion 3312 provided centrally with respect to the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 and a pair of second surface portions 3312 provided at opposite edges of the width of the strap 3310. Such an example is shown in Fig. 2C. The pair of second surface portions 3312 provided at opposite edges of the width of the strap 3310 may be narrower than the second surface portion 3312 provided centrally.

[0106] In some forms of the present technology, the second material is woven into the first material. In examples, the second material may be in the form of yarn, cord or thread, such as silicone yarn, cord or thread, or rubber yarn, cord or thread. Alternatively the second material may be a TPE yarn, cord or thread, or a TPU yarn, cord or thread. The TPU yarn may be an elastic TPU yarn. The second material may be knitted or woven into the first material. Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C show examples of straps 3310 in which the second surface portions 3312 are formed by weaving of the second material together or into the first material. In some examples, the second material may comprise a TPU yarn, such as Mobilon™ yarn, incorporated into the knitting or weaving process used to form the strap 3310. Straps 3310 according to the present technology having Mobilon™ yarn or other TPU, silicone, TPE or other elastomeric yarn incorporated into the knitting or weaving process may advantageously have good non-slip performance, good elasticity and high durability.

[0107] In some forms of the technology, the second material is coated over the first material to form a coated area. The coated area then becomes a second surface portion 3312. Figs. 2D-2N depict straps 3310 constructed in this way.

[0108] Fig. 21 depicts an example of a strap 3310 having a second surface portion 3312 which may be either coated with a second material or formed by weaving of second material into the first material.

[0109] In some forms, a strap 3310 may comprise at least one second surface portion 3312 formed by weaving of a second material into the first material, and at least one second surface portion 3312 formed by coating a second material over the first material.

[0110] In some examples, the user-facing surface of the strap 3310 comprises a plurality of second surface portions 3312 each in the form of a coated area. In some examples, such as the straps 3310 in Figs. 2G and 2N, each coated area is a strip extending along a length of the strap 3310. In other examples, the coated areas may take other shapes. For example, Figs. 2D, 2E, 2F, 2K, 2L and 2M show straps 3310 having one or more second surface portions 3312 in the form of a coated area that is circular.

[0111] In some examples, such as the straps 3310 shown in Figs. 2D-2F, the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of groups of coated areas. In the example shown in Fig. 2D, each group of coated areas expands across substantially the full width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 and is spaced from an adjacent group of coated areas along the length of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 by a first surface portion 3311. In the straps 3310 shown in Figs. 2E and 2F, the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas extending along the length of the body 3313 of the strap. In these examples, the group is located centrally with respect to the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 and spaced from opposite edges of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 by first surface portions 3311. The strap 3310 shown in Fig. 2F may have a greater number of smaller coated areas than the example shown Fig. 2E but both may have a similar total area coated by the second material and may both provide for high friction in use.

[0112] In some examples of the present technology, the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas in the form of a bullseye pattern. The group of coated areas may be a plurality of coated unfilled concentric circles of differing diameter, with a small, filled circle in the middle, forming a bullseye shape. In the straps 3310 shown in Figs. 2H and 2J,the userfacing surface comprises a plurality of groups of coated areas each in the form of a bullseye pattern. The strap 3310 shown in Fig. 2H has larger bullseyes and therefore larger coated areas than the strap 3310 shown in Fig. 2J, to provide a strap 3310 having a higher friction level than that shown in Fig. 2J. In some examples the bullseye pattern has a diameter greater than or equal to half of the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310. In other examples, the bullseye pattern has a diameter less than half the width of the body of the strap 3310. As shown in Fig. 2J for example, the bullseye pattern has a diameter less than or equal to a third of the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310.

[0113] In some examples, such as shown in Figs 2D, 2H, 2J, 2K, 2L and 2M, each group of coated areas is spaced from an adjacent group of coated areas by a first surface portion 3311. In some forms, such as the strap 3310 shown in Fig. 2K, the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas forming a rectangle. In particular, the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of groups of coated areas. Each coated area is circle but is part of a group forming a rectangular shape.

[0114] In some examples the user-facing surface of the strap 3310 may comprise an alternating series of first surface portions 3311 and second surface portions 3312. Each of the first surface portions 3311 may have substantially the same length along the length of the body 3313 of the strap 3310 as the second surface portions 3312. Fig. 2H shows such an example in which each second surface portion 3312 formed by a bullseye shaped group of coated areas is spaced from an adjacent second surface portions 3312 by a first surface portion 3311 having substantially the same size. In some examples, the user-facing surface of the strap 3310 may comprise an alternating series of first surface portions 3311 and second surface portions 3312, in which the second surface portions 3312 have substantially the same width transversely across the strap 3310 as the first surface portions 3311, but not necessarily the same length. Fig. 2D shows such an example.

[0115] The dimensions of the groups of coated areas may vary between different examples of the present technology. In some forms, such as is shown in Fig. 2K, each group of coated areas has a dimension aligned with the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310, said dimension being greater than or equal to half the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310.

[0116] In some examples, such as the example shown in Fig. 2L, each group of coated areas has a dimension aligned with the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310, said dimension being less than half the width of the body 3313 of the strap 3310. The user-facing surface in some examples comprises a group of coated areas forming a circle. As shown in Figs. 2L and 2M for example, the user-facing surface comprises second surface portions 3312a each in the form of a group of coated areas, the coated areas being small, filled circles. In the Fig. 2L example the user-facing surface also comprises second surface portions 3321b each in the form of a large, filled circles as opposed to a group of smaller filled circles.

[0117] Fig. 2L shows that in some examples, not all of the second surface portions 3312 in a strap 3310 need to be identical. In the Fig. 2L example, the strap 3310 comprises an alternating series of second surface portions 3312a and second surface portions 3312b, each of the second surface portions 3312a being a group of coated areas and each the second surface portions 3312b being a single filled area. Where strap 3310 comprises a plurality of second surface portions 3312 which are not all identical to each other, the second surface portions 3312 do not necessarily need to be alternating types of second surface portions 3312. For example, a strap 3310 may comprise one second surface portion 3312 of a first type, and multiple second surface portions 3312 of a second type. Furthermore, it is to be understood that a second surface portion 3312 may be a single contiguous area of high friction material (e.g. high in comparison to the first material) or may be formed by multiple discrete areas of high friction material which together form a second surface portion 3312 as a group.

[0118] In some examples, every second surface portion 3312 of a strap 3310 may have a different configuration (e.g. shape or construction) to every other second surface portion 3312 of the strap 3310. In some examples the second surface portion 3312 may be a company logo, or the strap 3310 may comprise several second surface portions 3312, each being one of the letters of a company or brand name, such that the second surface portions 3312 together spell out the name.

[0119] Various materials may be used to provide a soft touch feel and comfort to the user. In some examples the strap 3310 comprises knitted fabric or another textile fabric forming the first surface portion(s) 3311. The strap 3310 may be knitted from a single yarn or may be woven from multiple yarns, in examples, to form the first surface portion(s).

[0120] The knitted fabric or woven fabric forming the first surface portion(s) 3311 may be made from a yarn selected from natural and / or synthetic fibers. Examples of such fibers include, but is not limited to, cotton, wool, enset, jute, viscose, polyester, and spandex.

[0121] In one form of the present technology, the knitted fabric is a weft knitted fabric. In one form of the present technology, the knitted fabric is a warp knitted fabric.

[0122] OTHER REMARKS

[0123] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in Patent Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0124] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise and where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit, between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the technology. The upper and lower limits of these intervening ranges, which may be independently included in the intervening ranges, are also encompassed within the technology, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the technology.

[0125] Furthermore, where a value or values are stated herein as being implemented as part of the technology, it is understood that such values may be approximated, unless otherwise stated, and such values may be utilized to any suitable significant digit to the extent that a practical technical implementation may permit or require it.

[0126] Furthermore, "approximately", "substantially", "about", or any similar term used herein means + / - 5-10% of the recited value. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present technology, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

[0127] When a particular material is identified as being used to construct a component, obvious alternative materials with similar properties may be used as a substitute. Furthermore, unless specified to the contrary, any and all components herein described are understood to be capable of being manufactured and, as such, may be manufactured together or separately.

[0128] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include their plural equivalents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0129] All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to disclose and describe the methods and / or materials which are the subject of those publications. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present technology is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to be independently confirmed.

[0130] The terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

[0131] The subject headings used in the detailed description are included only for the ease of reference of the reader and should not be used to limit the subject matter found throughout the disclosure or the claims. The subject headings should not be used in construing the scope of the claims or the claim limitations.

[0132] Although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular examples, it is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the technology. In some instances, the terminology and symbols may imply specific details that are not required to practice the technology. For example, although the terms "first" and "second" may be used, unless otherwise specified, they are not intended to indicate any order but may be utilised to distinguish between distinct elements. Furthermore, although process steps in the methodologies may be described or illustrated in an order, such an ordering is not required. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such ordering may be modified and / or aspects thereof may be conducted concurrently or even synchronously.

[0133] It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative examples and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology.

Claims

Claims1. A strap for a positioning and stabilising structure for an eye mask, the positioning and stabilising structure configured to provide a force to hold an eye component of the eye mask in an in-use position on the user's head during use of the eye mask, the strap comprising : a body having a length, a width transverse to the length, and a pair of end portions at opposite ends of the length, the end portions being constructed and arranged to connect to the eye component of the eye mask in use; wherein the body of the strap comprises a user-facing surface configured to engage the user's hair and / or skin in use, the user-facing surface having a first surface portion and a second surface portion, the first surface portion providing a first coefficient of friction between the strap and the user's hair or skin, the second surface portion providing a second coefficient of friction between the strap and the user's hair or skin, the second coefficient of friction being greater than the first coefficient of friction.

2. The strap of claim 1, wherein the second coefficient of friction is within the range of 0. 1-1.1.

3. The strap of claim 2, wherein the second coefficient of friction is within the range of 0.6-1.1.

4. The strap of claim 1, wherein the second coefficient of friction is within the range of 0.1-0.7.

5. The strap of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the body of the strap is bifurcated.

6. The strap of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the body of the strap is formed at least partially from a first material, the first material being a textile material, the first surface portion being formed at least partially by the first material.

7. The strap of claim 6, wherein the interior of the body of the strap is formed from foam.

8. The strap of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second surface portion is transparent.

9. The strap of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the second surface portion extends along the length of the body of the strap.

10. The strap of claim 9, wherein the second surface portion is positioned centrally with respect to the width of the body of the strap and the user-facing surface comprises a pair of first surface portions extending parallel to the second surface portion on opposite adjacent sides of the second surface portion across the width of the strap.

11. The strap of claim 9, wherein the user-facing surface is formed by a plurality of second surface portions extending along the length of the body of the strap, the second surface portions being separated across the width of the body of the strap by a plurality of first surface portions.

12. The strap of claim 11, wherein the plurality of second surface portions comprises one second surface portion provided centrally with respect to the width of the body of the strap and a pair of second surface portions provided at opposite edges of the width of the strap.

13. The strap of claim 12, wherein the pair of second surface portions provided at opposite edges of the width of the strap are narrower than the second surface portion provided centrally.

14. The strap of any one of claims 6-13, wherein the second surface portion is formed at least partially by a second material different to the first material.

15. The strap of claim 14, wherein the second material is an elastomeric material.

16. The strap of clam 15, wherein the second material is silicone.

17. The strap of any one of claims 14-16, wherein the second material is woven into the first material.

18. The strap of claim 17, wherein the second material comprises a TPU yarn.

19. The strap of any one of claims 14-16, wherein the second material is coated over the first material to form a coated area.

20. The strap of any one of claims 14-16, wherein the second material is coated over the first material and the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of second surface portions each in the form of a coated area.

21. The strap of claim 19 or 20, wherein the coated area is circular.

22. The strap of claim 19 or 20, wherein the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas forming a circle.

23. The strap of any one of claims 19-22, wherein the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of groups of coated areas.

24. The strap of claim 23, wherein each group of coated areas is spaced from an adjacent group of coated areas by a first surface portion.

25. The strap of claim 23, wherein each group of coated areas expands across substantially the full width of the body of the strap and is spaced from an adjacent group of coated areas along the length of the body of the strap by a first surface portion.

26. The strap of claim 23, wherein each group of coated areas has a dimension aligned with the width of the body of the strap, said dimension being greater than or equal to half the width of the body of the strap.

27. The strap of claim 23, wherein each group of coated areas has a dimension aligned with the width of the body of the strap, said dimension being less than half the width of the body of the strap.

28. The strap of any one of claims 19-21, wherein the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas extending along the length of the body of the strap.

29. The strap of claim 28, wherein the group is located centrally with respect to the width of the body of the strap and spaced from opposite edges of the body of the strap by first surface portions.

30. The strap of claim 19 or 20, wherein the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas in the form of a bullseye pattern.

31. The strap of claim 30, wherein the user-facing surface comprises a plurality of groups of coated areas each in the form of a bullseye pattern.

32. The strap of claim 30 or 31, wherein the bullseye pattern has a diameter greater than or equal to half of the width of the body of the strap.

33. The strap of claim 30 or 31, wherein the bullseye pattern has a diameter less than half the width of the body of the strap.

34. The strap of claim 33, wherein the bullseye pattern has a diameter less than or equal to a third of the width of the body of the strap.

35. The strap of any one of claims 19-21, wherein the user-facing surface comprises a group of coated areas forming a rectangle.

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