Eye Compress Gel Pack with Disposable Moistened Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye compress devices fail to provide sustained thermal therapy effectively due to quick temperature decay, discomfort, and hygiene issues, and lack adjustable compression and moisture for ocular regions.
Innovation Solution
A thermally adjustable gel pack with a nylon casing, a disposable moistened non-woven fabric sheet, and a strap system for secure and customizable application, maintaining temperature and providing adjustable compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a washcloth is used for thermal compress therapy, then the temperature can be adjusted by the user and the washcloth is low in cost, but the temperature decays quickly necessitating frequent re-heatings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using a fabric washcloth to a gel-based compress system. The gel material undergoes phase change (freezing/thawing) to maintain temperature, fundamentally changing the thermal parameters from rapid decay to sustained release over extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel pack utilizes phase transition of water (freezing and thawing) to provide sustained thermal therapy. When frozen, the gel maintains cold temperature; when thawed, it provides heat. This phase transition mechanism allows the compress to maintain its temperature much longer than a washcloth, resolving the temperature sustainment issue.
2Ease of operation
If a washcloth is used for eye compress therapy, then the washcloth can conform to the eye region, but it may drape uncomfortably over the face and drip down the user's arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible gel pack enclosed in a sealed pouch or casing that conforms to the contours of the eye region. This flexible enclosure prevents the gel from dripping while maintaining comfort and conformability, eliminating the harmful dripping effect while preserving the beneficial conformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes disposable moistened non-woven fabric sheets that are discarded after single use. This eliminates hygiene issues from repeated use and ensures each use is clean and comfortable without the need for washing or drying, preventing discomfort from reused fabrics.
3Ease of manufacture
If a washcloth is reused in a shared bathroom, then it is low in cost, but repeated use may be unhygienic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable moistened non-woven fabric sheets that are discarded after single use. This eliminates hygiene issues from repeated use in shared bathrooms while keeping costs low, as the disposable sheets are inexpensive to manufacture and replace.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the disposable fabric sheet from the reusable gel pack. The fabric sheet is discarded after one use to maintain hygiene, while the expensive gel pack is reused. This extraction of the consumable component resolves the hygiene issue while preserving cost-effectiveness.
4Ease of manufacture
If known gel packs are used with PVC or vinyl casings, then production costs are low, but the casing materials have characteristics that limit effectiveness for ocular thermal therapy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction with the gel pack enclosed in a sealed pouch or casing made from materials suitable for ocular application. The combination of the gel material and the enclosing pouch creates a composite system that maintains low cost while improving effectiveness for sensitive ocular regions through better material selection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures prolonged thermal therapy, improved comfort, and hygiene by maintaining temperature and allowing adjustable compression, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a gel pack including a casing defining a chamber holding a thermally activatable gelatinous substance
Implementation Method 2
The strap is configured to secure the gel pack against the user's eye region and to exert compressive forces to the gel pack
Implementation Method 3
The at least one moistened, disposable fibrous non-woven fabric sheet is adapted to be positioned between the gel pack and the user's eye region
Data Source
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AI summary
An eye compress kit includes a thermally adjustable gel pack, a strap and at least one moistened, disposable fibrous non-woven fabric sheet. The thermally adjustable gel pack is configured to be applied against an eye region of a user's body. The gel pack includes a casing that defines a chamber holding a thermally activatable gelatinous substance. The strap is configured to secure the gel pack against the user's eye region and to exert compressive forces to the gel pack. The at least one moistened, disposable fibrous nonwoven fabric sheet is adapted to be positioned between the gel pack and the user's eye region wherein the fabric sheet is removable from the outer surface of the gel pack.