BANDANA MASK

Abstract

A facemask includes a layer of material to cover a face of a person and a pocket formed on the layer of material, the pocket including: another layer of material that is fixed to the layer of material, and an opening at one side of the pocket, the opening being configured to receive a filter inserted into the pocket, where the pocket has a same size and shape as the filter, and where the opening open or sealed and, when open, is resealable.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to a face mask, and more particularly, relate to a face mask that has a disposable or reusable filter and that may be a bandana style face mask.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, face masks are one of the most vital pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE). Face masks are critical for many different types of industries and are necessary in many different types of situations. For example, health professionals and construction contractors may be required to wear various types of facemasks, such as surgical masks, procedure masks, or respirators.

A face mask is intended to catch and filter airborne particles, in order to protect the wearer from inhaling the particles. Conventional face masks such as an N95 face mask are typically pleated, expandable, and are made to be discarded. However, since the conventional facemask is made to be discarded after only one or several uses, conventional facemasks may become a scarce commodity in the event of an emergency, such as an outbreak of a deadly virus or bacteria, when thousands or even millions of people may need to wear facemasks for an extended period of time. In such a situation, the demand for facemasks may vastly exceed the supply. The current 2019-2020 CoVid-19 pandemic is teaching us the cost of not preparing.

Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a facemask and a facemask system that can be reused.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to reusable facemask apparatuses and reusable facemasks systems for covering a wearer's mouth and nose.

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein further relate to a mouth and nose covering system for a wearer, for allowing a wearer to catch/block airborne particles.

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein further relate to a bandana mask.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a facemask to be worn by a person, the facemask including: a layer of material to cover a face of the person; and a pocket formed on the layer of material, the pocket including: another layer of material that is fixed to the layer of material, and an opening at one side of the pocket, the opening being configured to receive a filter inserted into the pocket, wherein the pocket has a same size and shape as the filter, and wherein the opening is open or sealed and, when open, is resealable.

The layer of the material may have a symmetric shape that is folded over itself along a fold line to form two halves that have a same size and shape as each other.

The facemask may further include: a fastening device connected to one of the halves and configured to fasten the facemask to the face of the person.

The symmetric shape of the layer of the material may be a square shape; the fold line may be a diagonal line extending from one corner of the square shape to an opposite corner of the square shape; and when the square shape is folded along the fold line, the material may form two triangular shaped halves.

Each of the triangular shaped halves may include: a first flat side that, when worn by the person, extends across the face of the person in a direction parallel to an axis that connects the two eyes of the person; and a second flat and a third flat side that taper in a downward direction and converge at a vertex that is hanging below the person's face, to thereby form a bandana style mask.

The fastening device may include: a first tie down strap connected at one end thereof to the second flat side, and loose at the other end thereof; and a second tie strap connected at one end thereof to the third flat side, and loose at the other end thereof, wherein the first and second tie down straps may be configured to be tied together behind a head and neck area of the person to thereby secure the facemask.

The fastening device may include: an elastic type material having a continuous band shape and two ends, one of the ends being connected to the second flat side and the other of the ends being connected to the third flat side, wherein the elastic type material may be configured to be looped around a head and neck area of the person to thereby secure the facemask.

The layer of the material may include a plurality of pleats that extend parallel to each other, to form a pleated facemask.

The layer of the material may include a round respirator type shape.

The layer of the material may include a one-piece type mask that is a single piece of the material that fits all the way around a head of the person to thereby secure the facemask.

The facemask may further include a nose piece provided on the layer of the material, the nose piece being one of a strip of foldable metal that is configured to be folded around a nose of the person or a pre-formed nose piece.

The layer of the material may be formed of paper, cotton, polymer, polypropylene, plastic, metal, composite, or similar materials.

When the opening at one side of the pocket is open, the first and the second tie down straps may be configured such that, when the first and second tie down straps are tied to secure the facemask, the first and second tie down straps also seal the opening.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a facemask system to be worn by a person, the facemask system including: a facemask, including: a layer of material to cover a face of the person; and a pocket formed on the layer of material, the pocket including: another layer of material that is fixed to the layer of material, and an opening at one side thereof, the opening being configured to receive a filter inserted into the pocket, wherein the pocket has substantially a same size and shape as the filter, and wherein the opening is open or sealed and, when open, is resealable; and the filter, wherein the filter includes a material that filters airborne particles having at least a certain predetermined size.

The material in the filter may include at least one of activated charcoal, aluminum, zeolites, interlaced glass fibers, polypropylene, or chromium.

The filter and the pocket may each have a triangular shape with round edges.

The pocket may be sewn onto the layer of the material.

The layer of the material may have a symmetric shape that is folded over itself along a fold line to form two halves that have a same size and shape as each other; the symmetric shape of the layer of the material may be a square shape; the fold line may be a diagonal line extending from one corner of the square shape to an opposite corner of the square shape; and when the square shape is folded along the fold line, the material may form two triangular shaped halves.

Each of the triangular shaped halves may include: a first flat side that, when worn by the person, extends across the face of the person in a direction parallel to an axis that connects the two eyes of the person; and a second flat and a third flat side that taper in a downward direction and converge at a vertex that is hanging below the face of the person, to thereby form a bandana style mask.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a facemask to be worn by a person, the facemask including: a layer of material to cover a face of the person; a pocket formed on the layer of material, the pocket including: another layer of material that is fixed to the layer of material, and an opening at one side thereof, the opening being configured to receive a filter inserted into the pocket; and a fastening device connected to the layer of the material and configured to fasten the facemask to the face of the person, wherein the layer of the material is folded over itself to form two portions and the two portions are fixed together to form a double layer of the material to cover the face of the person when the facemask is fastened by the fastening device.

The portions may be a same size and shape as each other.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates material used to make a facemask according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a facemask having tie down straps according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a facemask having elastic type material according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a facemask system including a facemask and a disposable or reusable filter according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a pleated type facemask according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a round respirator type facemask according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the facemask system of FIG. 4 provided on a face of a mask wearer, with the tie down straps being loose;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the facemask system of FIG. 4 provided on a face of a mask wearer, with the tie down straps being tied;

FIG. 9 illustrates a one-piece type mask with a pocket for a filter, provided on a face of a mask wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a one-piece type mask with ear holes, provided on a face of a mask wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a facemask having ear straps and a breathing valve, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a facemask system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a face mask system for a wearer's mouth and nose includes an assembly including a pocket that may have a disposable or reusable filter. The assembly further includes a nose piece that may be adjusted for maximum comfort. The nose piece may be formed (soft metal), or pre-formed. When the nose piece is pre-formed, the nose piece may be shaped to fit around an average size nose and may be made out of many different types of materials, such as various types of plastics, metals, composites, etc. The assembly may further include tie down straps or elastic type material to position on the user's face. Hereinafter, the tie down straps and elastic type material may also be referred to as a “fastening device”. The elastic straps may be used to hold hair back.

FIG. 1 illustrates material used to make a facemask according to an exemplary embodiment. Typically, the material 100 may be, for example, a 12″×12″+/± square or triangle of woven material, non-woven material, paper, cotton, polymer, polypropylene, or various types of plastics, metals, composites, or similar materials. As shown in FIG. 1, the material may be initially formed in a substantially symmetric shape (e.g., a square) such that the material can be folded over itself to form two equal halves having the same size and shape (e.g., two triangles). When incorporating polymers, the material 100 may be formed by various processes such as a melt blowing process or other processes. The material 100 may be formed of many different types of material, and may also be formed of combinations of different types of material. The material 100 is not limited to any particular size or shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates a facemask having tie down straps according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the facemask 200 is formed of the material 100 shown in FIG. 1. The facemask 200 has a fold line 101 extending in a diagonal line from one corner of the material 100 to an opposite corner of the material 100, along which the material 100 is to be folded over on itself to form two halves 100a and 100b that have a same size and shape as each other. Once folded, the two halves 100a and 100b may be fixed together using various techniques, e.g., sewing, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the two halves 100a and 100b are triangular shaped. The facemask 200 further has tie down straps 102 which function as a fastening device. The tie down straps 102 can be looped around the back of a user's head and neck area and, upon being tied together, secure the facemask 200 in place. Although the facemask 200 shown in FIG. 2 is shown as having two tie down straps 102, this is an example only, and it is understood that the facemask 200 may have other numbers of tie down straps. Also, the tie down straps 102 are not limited to being connected to the two lower sides of the half 100b shown in FIG. 2, and instead may be connected in many different ways, e.g., to both the halves 100a and 100b, to opposite sides, etc. Depending on the configuration, the tie down straps may be used to tie down both sides of the material 100 to the person's face, thereby enabling an added two-layer protection. Furthermore, although the fold line 101 shown in FIG. 2 extends in a diagonal line from one corner to an opposite corner, this is an example only, and the fold line is not limited to extending from one corner to an opposite corner according to other exemplary embodiments. For example, according to certain exemplary embodiments, the fold line 101 may be slightly higher or lower than the corners, thus allowing a slightly asymmetric fold that causes the front bandana portion to hang down farther than the rear bandana portion, thus achieving the technical benefit of providing a larger face shield area.

FIG. 3 illustrates a facemask having elastic type material according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the facemask 300 is formed of the elastic type material 100 and has the fold line 101. Additionally, in contrast to the facemask 200 in FIG. 2 which includes the tie down straps 102, the facemask 300 in FIG. 3 includes an elastic type material 109 which functions as a fastening device and has a long continuous band shape and two ends connected to the sides of one of the triangular halves. The elastic type material 109 loops around the back of a user's head and neck area and secures the facemask 300 in place by elastic force. A technical benefit of the elastic type material 109 is that the elastic type material 109 may be used to hold hair back and may form a very snug fit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a facemask system including a facemask and a disposable or reusable filter according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the facemask system 400 includes the facemask 200 shown in FIG. 2 and a disposable or reusable filter 108. The facemask 200 includes the tie down straps 102 shown in FIG. 2, and further includes a nose piece 103 and a pocket 104 added thereto.

Typically, the nose piece 103 can be made of a foldable metal that is configured to be folded around the nose of the person, although is not limited to such. For example, the nose piece 103 may also be pre-formed to fit around the nose of the person without the person needing to fold the nose piece 103 at all (or with the person only needing to make minor adjustments to the pre-formed nose piece 103). The nose piece 103 may be made out of many different types of materials, such as various types of plastics, metals, composites, etc.

The pocket 104 is configured to receive and hold the filter 108 in place. The pocket 104 is an extra layer of material that is sewn or otherwise fastened to the material 100, and has an opening 104a at a top or side thereof through which the filter 108 is inserted into the pocket 104. The pocket 104 may be formed out of the material 100 or may be formed out of a different material. The pocket 104 may be formed to have a shape which is identical or substantially corresponds to the shape of the filter 108 to form a tight fit around the filter 108. For example, the pocket 104 shown in FIG. 4 may have a triangular shape with round edges which corresponds to the shape of the filter 108, although is not limited thereo. The opening 104a in the pocket 108 can be resealable or permanently sealable. For example, if the filter 108 is designed to be permanently installed, the opening 104a can be permanently sealed once the filter 108 is inserted therein, such as by sewing the opening 104a closed. Alternatively, if the filter 108 is disposable and is intended to be replaced often, the opening 104a can be fastened shut using various types of resealable fastening devices, e.g., Velcro, button type closures, etc.

The filter 108 functions as a barrier to prevent airborne viruses, bacteria, and other small particles from being inhaled by a wearer of the facemask system 400. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the filter 108 may be designed to meet relatively stringent criteria of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as the criteria set forth for N95 masks that are required to block at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron test particles). The filter 108 is not required to meet these stringent criteria in all embodiments, however, and may instead satisfy the commonly accepted standards for standard homemade facemask protection. The filter 108 may be disposable or reusable, and may be formed of various materials, such as polypropylene, polymers, or other materials. When the filter 108 includes polymers, the filter 108 may be formed by various processes, such as melt blowing processes, etc. The filter 108 may be manufactured out of many different types of materials, such as activated charcoal, aluminum, zeolites, interlaced glass fibers, polypropylene, chromium, etc. Also, the filter 108 may include one or multiple layers of materials, for example, the filter 108 may include a central layer of activated charcoal sandwiched between layers of cotton, silk, or other fabrics to hold the central layer in place. Additionally, the filter 108 may include antibacterial and/or antiviral chemicals provided thereon. For example, the filter 108 may include triclosan, heavy metals, biquanide, isothiazolones, metals, alcohols, silver-loaded zeolites, phenol or phenol derivatives, carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid, glycolic acid, medium chain carboxylic acids such as pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid, or many other types of antibacterial and/or antiviral agents. As shown in FIG. 4, the filter 108 according to an exemplary embodiment has a triangular shape with round edges, which achieves the technical benefit of providing an extensive amount of facial coverage. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the filter 108 may be any other shape, such as square, round, asymmetric shapes, customized shapes, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pleated type facemask according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the pleated type facemask 105 includes a plurality of pleats 105a, 105b . . . which extend in a direction substantially parallel to each other. The pleats 105a, 105b, . . . expand and contract to more closely fit a wearer's face. The pleated facemask 105 further includes the pocket 104 to receive and secure the filter 108. Although only two pleats 105a and 105b are shown in FIG. 5, it is understood that more or less than two pleats may be used in other embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a round respirator type facemask according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the round respirator type facemask 106 has a substantially round shape and includes the nose piece 103 and the pocket 104 to receive and secure the filter 108.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the facemask system of FIG. 4 provided on a face of a mask wearer, with the tie down straps being loose. As shown in FIG. 7, when being worn, the facemask system 400 has a bandana style appearance in which the two halves 100a and 100b hang down in front of the wearer's face (in FIG. 7, only the half 100b is shown because 100a is folded behind 100a). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the half 100b is a triangular shape with three flat sides 100c, 100d, and 100e. One of the flat sides 100c extends across the face of the person in a direction parallel to an axis that connects the two eyes of the person (a horizontal direction in FIG. 7). The other two flat sides 100d and 100e taper in a downward direction and converge at a vertex 100f that hangs below the person's face, to thereby form a bandana style mask. The material 100 can have many different designs, patterns, and colors, such as floral patterns, images of nature or people, words or expressions, etc. The bandana style facemask shown in FIG. 7 has several technical advantages over conventional facemasks, including that, since the bandana style facemask extends well below the mouth and nose area of the person, the bandana style facemask covers significantly more surface area than a conventional facemask. Moreover, since the bandana style facemask is folded over itself, the bandana style facemask provides a double layer of protection in the form of the material 100, and further provides additional protection in the form of the filter 108. Further, it is noted that the front flap can hang down over the pocket 104 as an added shield, enabling maximum filtration of particles. Thus, the bandana style facemask provides a remarkable level of protection for the user. Moreover, the fastening device, when coupled with the double layer of protection, may achieve a tighter fit than a conventional facemask, thus enabling the bandana style facemask to provide better protection for the wearer as well. Additionally, the bandana style mask is fashionable and, as such, may provide enjoyment for the users.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the facemask system of FIG. 4 provided on a face of a mask wearer, with the tie down straps being tied. As shown in FIG. 8, the tie straps 102 can be tied together to form a very snug fit for the wearer, and the bandana style facemask provides a significant degree of protection for the wearer. In particular, the bandana style shape extends well below the user's mouth and nose.

FIG. 9 illustrates a one-piece type mask with a pocket for a filter, provided on a face of a mask wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the one-piece type mask 107 is designed as a single unitary piece of material that fits all the way around the wearer's head. The material may be the same as the material 100 or may be a different material. The one-piece type mask 107 includes the pocket 104 to receive and secure the filter 108 and the nose piece 103.

FIG. 10 illustrates a one-piece type mask with ear holes, provided on a face of a mask wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the one-piece type mask 107 is a variation on the one-piece type mask shown in FIG. 9, and in particular, ear holes 110 are added to the one-piece type mask 107 shown in FIG. 10. The ear holes 110 achieve the technical benefit of enabling a wearer of the mask 107 to more clearly hear sounds. The ear holes 110 shown in FIG. 10 are shown as being substantially oval shaped and large enough to fit the person's ear therethrough, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the ear holes can be different shapes and sizes according to other exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a facemask having ear straps and a breathing valve, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the facemask 500 includes ear straps 112 and 113 that loop around the left and right ears of the person wearing the facemask 500, to secure the facemask in place. The ear straps 112 and 113 may be made of many different materials, such as woven material, non-woven material, paper, cotton, polymer, polypropylene, or various types of plastics, metals, or composites. Further, the ear straps 112 and 113 may optionally have a certain amount of elasticity. The facemask 500 further includes a breathing valve 111 that is configured to allow air to pass through, to thereby increase the ability of the person wearing the facemask 500 to breathe comfortably. The facemask 500 includes the fold line 100 and, in use, is folded into two halves in a similar fashion as described above with respect to FIG. 2. In certain exemplary embodiments, the material 100 may be folded such that the breathing valve 111 may be covered by a front shield portion of the material 100, making the facemask 500 more pleasing to the eye, and providing better coverage for the wearer.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each exemplary embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other exemplary embodiments. For example, the features shown in the facemask system 400 of FIG. 4 (e.g., tie straps 102, filter 108, etc.) can be combined with the other exemplary embodiments, such as the pleated type facemask 105 (FIG. 5), the round respirator type facemask 106 (FIG. 6), or the one-piece type mask 107 (FIG. 9).

While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A facemask to be worn by a person, the facemask comprising: a layer of material to cover a face of the person; anda pocket formed on the layer of material, the pocket comprising: another layer of material that is fixed to the layer of material, andan opening at one side of the pocket, the opening being configured to receive a filter inserted into the pocket,wherein the pocket has a same size and shape as the filter, andwherein the opening is open or sealed and, when open, is resealable.

2. The facemask according to claim 1, wherein the layer of the material has a symmetric shape that is folded over itself along a fold line to form two halves that have a same size and shape as each other.

3. The facemask according to claim 2, further comprising: a fastening device connected to one of the halves and configured to fasten the facemask to the face of the person.

4. The facemask according to claim 3, wherein: the symmetric shape of the layer of the material is a square shape;the fold line is a diagonal line extending from one corner of the square shape to an opposite corner of the square shape; andwhen the square shape is folded along the fold line, the material forms two triangular shaped halves.

5. The facemask according to claim 4, wherein each of the triangular shaped halves comprises: a first flat side that, when worn by the person, extends across the face of the person in a direction parallel to an axis that connects the two eyes of the person; anda second flat and a third flat side that taper in a downward direction and converge at a vertex that is hanging below the person's face, to thereby form a bandana style mask.

6. The facemask according to claim 5, wherein the fastening device comprises: a first tie down strap connected at one end thereof to the second flat side, and loose at the other end thereof; anda second tie strap connected at one end thereof to the third flat side, and loose at the other end thereof,wherein the first and second tie down straps are configured to be tied together behind a head and neck area of the person to thereby secure the facemask.

7. The facemask according to claim 5, wherein the fastening device comprises: an elastic type material having a continuous band shape and two ends, one of the ends being connected to the second flat side and the other of the ends being connected to the third flat side,wherein the elastic type material is configured to be looped around a head and neck area of the person to thereby secure the facemask.

8. The facemask according to claim 1, wherein the layer of the material comprises a plurality of pleats that extend parallel to each other, to form a pleated facemask.

9. The facemask according to claim 1, wherein the layer of the material comprises a round respirator type shape.

10. The facemask according to claim 1, wherein the layer of the material comprises a one-piece type mask that is a single piece of the material that fits all the way around a head of the person to thereby secure the facemask.

11. The facemask according to claim 2, further comprising a nose piece provided on the layer of the material, the nose piece comprising one of a strip of foldable metal that is configured to be folded around a nose of the person or a pre-formed nose piece.

12. The facemask according to claim 1, wherein the layer of the material is formed of paper, cotton, polymer, polypropylene, plastic, metal, composites, or similar materials.

13. The facemask according to claim 6, wherein when the opening at one side of the pocket is open, the first and the second tie down straps are configured such that, when the first and second tie down straps are tied to secure the facemask, the first and second tie down straps also seal the opening.

14. A facemask system to be worn by a person, the facemask system comprising: a facemask, comprising: a layer of material to cover a face of the person; anda pocket formed on the layer of material, the pocket comprising: another layer of material that is fixed to the layer of material, andan opening at one side thereof, the opening being configured to receive a filter inserted into the pocket,wherein the pocket has substantially a same size and shape as the filter, and wherein the opening is open or sealed and, whenopen, is resealable; andthe filter, wherein the filter comprises a material that filters airborne particles having at least a certain predetermined size.

15. The facemask system according to claim 13, wherein the material in the filter comprises at least one of activated charcoal, aluminum, zeolites, interlaced glass fibers, polypropylene, or chromium.

16. The facemask system according to claim 14, wherein the filter and the pocket each have a triangular shape with round edges.

17. The facemask system according to claim 15, wherein the pocket is sewn onto the layer of the material.

18. The facemask system according to claim 16, wherein: the layer of the material has a symmetric shape that is folded over itself along a fold line to form two halves that have a same size and shape as each other;the symmetric shape of the layer of the material is a square shape;the fold line is a diagonal line extending from one corner of the square shape to an opposite corner of the square shape; andwhen the square shape is folded along the fold line, the material forms two triangular shaped halves, each of the triangular shaped halves comprising: a first flat side that, when worn by the person, extends across the face of the person in a direction parallel to an axis that connects the two eyes of the person; anda second flat and a third flat side that taper in a downward direction and converge at a vertex that is hanging below the face of the person, to thereby form a bandana style mask.

19. A facemask to be worn by a person, the facemask comprising: a layer of material to cover a face of the person;a pocket formed on the layer of material, the pocket comprising: another layer of material that is fixed to the layer of material, andan opening at one side thereof, the opening being configured to receive a filter inserted into the pocket; anda fastening device connected to the layer of the material and configured to fasten the facemask to the face of the person,wherein the layer of the material is folded over itself to form two portions and the two portions are fixed together to form a double layer of the material to cover the face of the person when the facemask is fastened by the fastening device.

20. The facemask according to claim 19, wherein the portions are a same size and shape as each other.