WO2018150280A2 - Eyewear - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to eyewear and in particular, to eyewear defined by a planar body of unitary construction and a method of making an eyewear cut-out. The eyewear is defined by a planar body of unitary construction. The planar body defines at least one optical element and two ear engagement arms which extend outward from lateral sides of the at least one optical element. The at least one optical element is shaped to extend over eyes of a wearer when in use.

Description

EYEWEAR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to eyewear. In particular, this invention relates to eyewear defined by a planar body of unitary construction and a method of making an eyewear cut-out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eyewear refers to articles which are worn either on or over the eyes. Eyewear may serve one or more purposes for the wearer, including correcting optical deficiencies, protecting the eyes from damage or purely for fashion purposes. Protecting the wearer's eyes forms the most utilitarian purpose of eyewear and such utilitarian eyewear broadly includes safety goggles. Safety goggles shield the eyes and surrounding areas from harmful particles and/or exposure, particularly in working environments.

The inventor is aware of existing eyewear which is worn for various purposes. However, existing eyewear exhibit multiple disadvantages in the working environment. In particular, existing eyewear is prone to damage and scratching of the optical surfaces. Moreover, existing eyewear is generally reusable and thus requires disinfecting between uses in certain sterile applications. It is an object of the inventor to address the shortcomings of existing eyewear with this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided eyewear defined by a planar body of unitary construction, which is characterized by at least one optical element and two ear engagement arms extending outwardly from lateral sides of the at least one optical element, the at least one optical element being shaped to extend over eyes of a wearer in use. The ear engagement arms may be coplanar with the planar body, the planar body being foldable to form wearable eyewear.

The planar body may be provided with a notch to accommodate a nasal bridge of the wearer.

In one embodiment, the planar body may be foldable about two vertices to define two cones proximate outer sides of the planar body such that the at least one optical element extends in one plane along the slants defined about the vertices and the two ear engagement arms extend along the slants opposed to the optical element slants at an angle of approximately 90° to the plane of the at least one optical element. In this embodiment, the one plane may extend across the wearer's eyes, the two ear engagement arms may extend along the sides of the wearer's head and the at least one optical element may be of a generally convex shape along the sides of the cones.

The planar body may include at least one other fold line. The at least one other fold line may be positioned within the notch such that when transporting, the at least one other fold line may be folded to bring operatively inner sides of the at least one optical element together for compact packaging.

The planar body may include at least two connection points to retain the sides of the two cones in position. The at least two connection points may be the form of any one of a slit-joint, a button joint, a press stud, an adhesive joint or the like. The at least two connection points may include a first set of connection points and a second set of connection points, the first set of connection points being positioned on a lower portion of the at least one optical element and the second set of connection points being positioned at an inner portion of the two ear engagement arms. The first set of connection points may receive the second set of connection points in use, such that the planar body is folded about the two vertices to define the two cones, forming wearable eyewear.

In another embodiment, the planar body may be foldable along two parallel fold lines at the outer sides of the at least one optical element such that the two ear engagement arms extend rearwardly at approximately right angles to the at least one optical element. The two parallel fold lines may form a hinge in use, the hinge separating the at least one optical element from the two ear engagement arms and allowing movement of the ear engagement arms in relation to the at least one optical element. In this embodiment, the at least one optical element may remain substantially planar in use.

In both embodiments described, the planar body may include at least one nose rest on an inside edge of the notch, the at least one nose rest being of unitary construction with the planar body. Preferably, the at least one nose rest may include two nose rests which oppose one another.

The planar body may define two additional fold lines separating the two nose rests from the at least one optical element. In use, the two fold lines may be used to orientate the two nose rests relative to the at least optical element, the two nose rests resting on an upper portion of the wearer's nose.

The at least one optical element may be formed to define any one or more of protective lenses, vision correction lenses, or the like. The vision correction lenses may include any one of concave lenses, convex lenses or combinations thereof to define bifocal, multifocal, progressive lenses or the like. The at least one optical element may be formed by injection moulding, or the like.

The protective lenses may include any one or more of filtered lenses, photochromic lenses or the like. The filtered lenses may include any one or more of colour filters, polarization filters or the like. The planar body or a part thereof may include any one or more coatings, the coatings including any of ultra-violet (UV) protective coating, an infrared (IR) protective coating, an anti-reflective coating, a scratch-resistant coating, an anti-fogging coating and a water-shedding coating or the like.

The planar body may be manufactured from a flexible and transparent material, the flexible and transparent material being rigid or semi-rigid. The planar body may be manufactured by any one or more of die cutting, slit die extrusion, blown film extrusion or the like. The planar body may be shaped by means of vacuum forming, plastic welding or the like. Notably, the planar body may be in the form of a cut-out.

Broadly according to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making an eyewear cut-out, the method including the steps of

providing a sheet of transparent material; and

cutting the sheet of material into an eyewear template, the eyewear template including two ear engagement formations. The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIGURE(S) In the figure(s):

Figure 1 shows a plan view of eyewear in accordance with a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the eyewear of Figure 1 illustrating a vertex;

Figure 3 shows the eyewear of Figure 1 in use; and

Figure 4 shows eyewear in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

In the figures, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 to 4, reference numeral (100) refers to eyewear defined by a planar body of unitary construction. The planar body (100) defines two optical elements (102) and two ear engagement arms (104) which extend outwardly from lateral sides of the optical elements (102), the ear engagement arms (104) remaining coplanar with the planar body (100). The planar body (100) is foldable to form wearable eyewear in use, however it does not define a separate frame, hinge or lenses. Instead, the two optical elements (102) are shaped and dimensioned to extend over eyes of a wearer and the two ear engagement arms (104) support the optical elements (102) on ears of the wearer.

In this example, the planar body (100) is provided with a notch (106) to accommodate a nasal bridge of the wearer. The notch (106) links the two optical elements (102) at an operatively central position of the planar body (100). The notch (106) is defined by an hourglass shape, with a bottom edge of the notch (106) being more concave in comparison to a top edge of the notch (106). This hourglass shape of the notch (106) brings a contour of the planar body (100) which broadly fits a brow shape of the wearer in use.

As indicated on one side of the planar body (100) Figure 2, the planar body (100) is foldable about two vertices (108) to define two cones proximate outer sides of the planar body (100), such that the two optical elements (102) extend in one plane along the slants defined about the vertices (108) and the two ear engagement arms (104) extend along the slants opposed to the optical element slants at an angle of approximately 90° to the plane of the optical elements (102). As shown in Figure 3, the one plane extends across where the wearer's eyes would be, the ear engagement arms (104) extending rearward along the sides of the wearer's head and the optical elements (102) are of a generally convex shape along the sides of the cones externally. Notably, one other fold line (110) is provided in the planar body (100) and is positioned within the notch (106). In transporting, the one other fold line (110) is folded such that operatively inner sides of the optical elements (102) are brought together to reduce an overall size of the planar body (100) for compact packaging.

The two ear engagement arms (104) are defined by an upper edge (104.2) and a lower edge (104.4). As best shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 4, in plan view, the ear engagement arms (104) extend outwardly and backwardly from an upper portion of the two optical elements (102), the upper edge (104.2) of the ear engagement arms (104) being generally collinear with a top edge of the optical elements (102). The lower edge (102.4) of the ear engagement arms define a V-shaped cut (112) at the point of extending outwardly and backwardly from the lateral sides of the optical elements (102). As best shown in Figure 3, the V-shaped cut (1 12) enables the folding about the two vertices (108) to define the two cones.

The lower edge (104.4) of the two ear engagement formations is adapted to hold the optical elements (102) over the wearer's eye and eye area. In use, the ear engagement formations (104) engage with the wearer's ear at an outer portion of each ear engagement formation (104). In particular, the lower edge (104.4) of the outer portion has a curvature to receive the wearer's ear is use.

As shown, the planar body (100) includes at least one connection point (200). In particular, the planar body (100) includes two connection points (200), each of which is in the form of a slit-joint. Each connection point (200) includes a first connection point (200.2) and a second connection point (200.4). The first connection point (200.2) is positioned on a lower portion of each optical element (102) and the second connection point (200.4) is positioned at an inner portion of each ear engagement arm (104). As best illustrated in Figure 3, the first connection point (200.2) receives the second connection point (200.4) in use, such that the planar body (100) is folded about the two vertices (108) to define the two cones, forming wearable eyewear.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the eyewear (100), in which the planar body (100) includes two nose rests (300) on an inside edge of the notch (106). The nose rests (300) are of unitary construction with the planar body (100) and in use, the nose rests (300) rest on an upper nose portion of the wearer, holding the planar body (100) over the wearer's eyes and eye area.

In the figures, the optical elements (102) are formed to define protective lenses. Advantageously, the protective lenses can be from a filter material to reduce glare or to enhance contrast depending on the particular application for which the eyewear is to be used. The planar body (100) is manufactured from a flexible and transparent material which is semi-rigid. Specifically, the planar body (100) is manufactured by die cutting and is in the form of a cut-out. The cut-out formation allows the planar body (100) to be stacked for effective transportation. Notably, the planar body (100) is disposable and is intended for single use only.

Although not shown, a second aspect of the invention provides for a method of making an eyewear cut-out (100). The method includes the steps of:

(1 ) providing a sheet of transparent material; and

(2) cutting the sheet of material into an eyewear template, the eyewear template including two ear engagement formations as described.

The inventor believes that the invention provides new eyewear which addresses the shortcomings of existing eyewear by providing eyewear which is cost- effective and easy to manufacture, effective to transport and is intended for single use only. The invention further provides a method of making an eyewear cut-out which is efficient and cost-effective.

Claims

1 . Eyewear defined by a planar body of unitary construction, which is characterized by at least one optical element and two ear engagement arms extending outwardly from lateral sides of the at least one optical element, the at least one optical element shaped to extend over eyes of a wearer in use.

2. The eyewear as claimed in claim 1 , in which the planar body is provided with a notch to accommodate a nasal bridge of the wearer.

3. The eyewear as claimed in claim 2, in which the planar body is foldable about two vertices to define two cones proximate outer sides of the planar body such that the at least one optical element extends in one plane along the slants defined about the vertices and the two ear engagement arms extend along the slants opposed to the optical element slants at an angle of approximately 90° to the plane of the at least one optical element.

4. The eyewear as claimed in claim 3, in which the at least one optical element is generally convex shaped along the sides of the cones.

5. The eyewear as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 3, in which the planar body includes at least two connection points to retain the sides of the two cones in position.

6. The eyewear as claimed in claim 5, in which the at least two connection points are in the form of any one of a slit-joint, a button joint, a press stud and an adhesive joint.

7. The eyewear as claimed in claim 6, in which the at least two connection points includes a first set of connection points and a second set of connection points.

8. The eyewear as claimed in claim 7, in which the first set of connection points are positioned on lower portions of the at least one optical element and the second set of connection points are positioned at inner portions of the two ear engagement arms.

9. The eyewear as claimed in claim 2, in which the planar body is foldable along two parallel fold lines at the outer sides of the at least one optical element such that the two ear engagement arms extend rearwardly at approximately right angles to the at least one optical element.

10. The eyewear as claimed in claim 9, in which the two parallel fold lines form a hinge in use, the hinge separating the at least one optical element from the two ear engagement arms and allowing movement of the ear engagement arms in relation to the at least one optical element.

1 1. The eyewear as claimed in any one of claims 3 and 9, in which the planar body includes at least one other fold line positioned within the notch such that when transporting, the at least one other fold line is folded to bring operatively inner sides of the at least one optical element together for compact packaging.

12. The eyewear as claimed in any one of claims 3 and 9, in which the planar body includes at least one nose rest on an inside edge of the notch, the at least one nose rest being of unitary construction with the planar body.

13. The eyewear as claimed in claim 12, in which the planar body defines two additional fold lines to separate two nose rests from the at least one optical element, in use, the two nose rests resting on an upper portion of the wearer's nose.

14. The eyewear as claimed in any one of claims 3 and 9, in which the at least one optical element is formed to define any one or more of protective lenses and vision correction lenses.

15. The eyewear as claimed in claim 14, in which the vision correction lenses include any one of concave lenses, convex lenses and combinations thereof to define any one of bifocal, multifocal and progressive lenses.

16. The eyewear as claimed in any one of claims 14 and 15, in which the at least one optical element is formed by injection moulding.

17. The eyewear as claimed in claim 14, in which the protective lenses include any one or more of photochromic lenses and filtered lenses.

18. The eyewear as claimed in claim 17, in which the filtered lenses include any one or more of colour filters and polarization filters.

19. The eyewear as claimed in claim 1 , in which the planar body or a part thereof includes one or more coatings.

20. The eyewear as claimed in claim 19, in which the coatings include any one of ultra-violet (UV) protective coating, an infrared (IR) protective coating, an anti- reflective coating, a scratch-resistant coating, an anti-fogging coating and a water- shedding coating.

21. The eyewear as claimed in claim 1 , in which the planar body is manufactured from a flexible and transparent material, the flexible and transparent material being rigid or semi-rigid.

22. The eyewear as claimed in claim 21 , in which the planar body is manufactured by any one or more of die cutting, slit die extrusion and blown film extrusion.

23. The eyewear as claimed in claim 1 , in which the planar body is in the form of a cut-out.

24. A method of making an eyewear cut-out, which includes the steps of providing a sheet of transparent material; and

cutting the sheet of material into an eyewear template, the eyewear template including two ear engagement formations.

25. Eyewear as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.

26. A method of making an eyewear cut-out as claimed in claim 24, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

27. New eyewear, substantially as herein described.

28. A new method of making an eyewear cut-out, substantially as herein described.