Sleep Mask

Abstract

A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, comprising a face portion configured for covering an area of the wearer's face generally bounded by the wearer's forehead, beneath the wearer's eyes, and across the wearer's nose bridge, a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion, and a pair of relatively rigid side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion in a position substantially perpendicular to the face portion, whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.

1 . A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, the apparatus comprising:
 a face portion;   a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion; and   a pair of relatively rigid side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion in a position substantially perpendicular to the face portion;   whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.   
   
   
       2 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the side portions are each further configured as substantially triangular wedges with a curvature generally corresponding to the wearer's head. 
   
   
       3 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter portion is a substantially round, dense, foam material. 
   
   
       4 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the face portion, perimeter portion, and side portions provide a covering material positioned over an underlying padded material for comfort. 
   
   
       5 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the face portion and side portions further comprises an internal frame configured for providing further structural support. 
   
   
       6 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 5  wherein each of the internal frames provides a plurality of apertures configured for allowing heat exchange therethrough when the sleep mask is in use. 
   
   
       7 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a decorative overlay integral with an outer surface of the face portion. 
   
   
       8 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an edge material integral about a perimeter of the face portion. 
   
   
       9 . The sleep mask apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a strap portion integral with the opposing left and right edges of the face portion, proximal the side portions. 
   
   
       10 . A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, the apparatus comprising:
 a face portion configured for covering an area of the wearer's face generally bounded by the wearer's forehead, beneath the wearer's eyes, and across the wearer's nose bridge;   a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion;   a pair of relatively rigid side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion in a position substantially perpendicular to the face portion; and   each of the face portion and side portions having an internal frame configured for providing further structural support;   whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.   
   
   
       11 . A sleep mask apparatus for protecting a wearer's eyelashes during sleep, the apparatus comprising:
 a face portion configured for covering an area of the wearer's face generally bounded by the wearer's forehead, beneath the wearer's eyes, and across the wearer's nose bridge;   a relatively thick, resilient perimeter portion integral about an inner surface of the face portion;   a pair of relatively rigid, substantially triangular-shaped side portions integral with opposing left and right edges of the face portion and extending distally therefrom in a substantially perpendicular direction, the side portions having a curvature generally corresponding to the sides of the wearer's head; and   whereby, during use of the sleep mask, the perimeter portion contacts the wearer's face and the side portions contact the sides of the wearer's head, such that the wearer's eyelashes are spaced from the inner surface of the face portion as well as the side portions, even when the wearer is side sleeping.