Weighted sleep mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye coverings struggle to maintain position on the head due to varying head sizes and shapes, leading to discomfort and displacement, especially when the wearer is upright, and often fail to provide adequate coverage and pressure distribution across the eyes, ears, and temples.
Innovation Solution
An elongate sleeve eye covering with separate cells filled with media beads, featuring adjustable end structures with a retainer system, such as a slit or hook and loop fasteners, to securely attach and tighten around the head, ensuring comfortable fit and secure holding in various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the eye covering is made with a fixed configuration, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot adapt to different head sizes and shapes, causing displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The eye covering is divided into multiple separate cells (first cell, second cell, third cell, fourth cell) that can independently conform to different anatomical features. Each cell can be adjusted and positioned separately to accommodate variations in head size, shape, nose size, ear size, and hair volume, while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable end structures with retainer elements that allow dynamic adjustment of the eye covering's circumference and fit. The retainers enable the device to be tightened or loosened to match different head circumferences, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-size versions of the device
2Stability of the object's composition
If the eye covering uses elastic fabrics and tight head girding band to enhance conformity, then fit improves, but excessive pressure is applied to temples causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the eye covering into separate cells rather than using a single tight band, the pressure is distributed across multiple localized contact points (eyes, ears, temples) rather than concentrating force on the temples alone. This segmented approach maintains conformity while reducing harmful pressure concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the device apply different types of contact: central cells provide light pressure on the eyes, lateral cells cover the ears, and end structures secure at the temples. This localized differentiation allows each area to receive appropriate pressure levels, preventing excessive temple pressure while maintaining overall conformity
3Area of stationary object
If the eye covering is designed to cover only eyes, then the structure is simple, but it fails to provide comprehensive coverage and pressure distribution across eyes, ears, and temples
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into four distinct cells: two central cells for eye coverage and two lateral cells for ear coverage, with end structures for temple securing. This segmentation enables comprehensive coverage of eyes, ears, and temples while maintaining structural simplicity through a modular, repeatable cell design that can be systematically arranged
Solution Approach 2:
The same basic cell structure serves multiple functions: central cells cover eyes and provide light pressure, lateral cells cover ears for sound occlusion, and end structures secure the device at temples. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive coverage without proportionally increasing complexity, as each cell type is a variation of the same fundamental structure
Data Source
AI summary
The eye covering includes an elongated sleeve filled with media, such as beads. The sleeve is divided into separate cells. Preferably two central cells are provided for covering the eyes with two lateral cells provided for covering ears. End structures on the sleeve are configured with a retainer to allow the end structures to be attached together. One form of retainer is a slit in one of the end structures. The other end structure is fed through this slit so that the sleeve is formed into a circuit which can fit around the head. Another optional retainer includes a loop, such as a tag, joined to one of the end structures with a gap beneath the tag. A strap can join lateral edges of the eye covering to provide a sleep mask embodiment.