Many individuals wear protective masks or other forms of face coverings due to concern over contraction of airborne diseases.
It is believed that certain embodiments will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the systems and methods disclosed. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the selected examples disclosed and described in detail with reference made to
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the systems and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the systems or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible.
It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices, systems, methods, etc. can be made and may be desired for a specific application. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment, or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The systems and methods disclosed herein generally relate to collared garments that include integral masks that can be selectably deployed by a wearer. In accordance with various embodiments, the mask can be generally concealed inside the back portion of a normal garment collar such that an occasional observer would not necessarily notice the presence of the mask when in the stowed position. As used herein, a collar of a garment is the band of material around the neck of a garment that is an integral part of the garment. Further, collared garments can include any garment having a collar, such as a casual polo shirt or a dress shirt. With regard to dress shirt embodiments, the collar of the dress shirt can be, for example, a wing collar, a tab collar, a button-down collar, and so forth.
Referring now to
As shown in
As can be understood from the above description, a method of use of the garment 100 by a person wearing the garment 100 can include the steps of donning the garment 100, accessing the pouch 110, for example by reaching back and folding up the collar extension 106, opening the pouch 110, grasping a portion of the mask 112 with one or both hands, pulling the mask 112 at least partially out of the pouch 110, suitably configuring the mask for placement across the wearer's face, securing the mask to the wearers face, such as by securing one of the wearer's ears to a slot 114 in the mask 112.
Thus, to deploy a hidden mask in accordance with present disclosure, the garment collar can first be unfolded upward from the shoulders. In accordance with various embodiments, after the collar has been unfolded, the mask can be accessible from a pouch or pocket that is sewn into the back portion of the collar. It is noted that masks described herein are not deployed from the front of the garment collar.
Referring now to
As shown in
Further with reference to
As can be understood from the above description, a method of use of the garment 200 by a person wearing the garment 200 can include the steps of donning the garment 200, reaching behind the neck to unfold the collar flap 206 sufficiently to expose the first peripheral edge 214A and the second peripheral edge 214B of the first mask half 212A and the second mask half 212B, respectively. The first mask half 212A and the second mask half 212B is suitably configured for placement across the wearer's face. The wearer then secures the mask to the wearers face, such as by joining the two mask halves by utilizing a joining member, such as a zipper. Optionally, the wearer can secure a flexible loop joined to the mask flaps to his or her ears.
Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, the mask may be accessible by rolling or folding into and out of the collar, as shown in
Referring now to
The collar flap 306 can have multiple folds to secure wing-like collar flap extensions that can be suitably sized and shaped to configure a mask on the face of a wearer. As shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Once fully unfolded, a first folded mask half 312A has a first peripheral edge 314A suitably sized and shaped to join with a second peripheral edge 314B of the second folded mask half 312B, as depicted in
As can be understood from the above description, a method of use of the garment 300 by a person wearing the garment 300 can include the steps of donning the garment 300, reaching behind the neck to unfold the collar flap 306 sufficiently to expose the first peripheral edge 314A and the second peripheral edge 314B of the first folded mask half 312A and the second folded mask half 312B, respectively. The first folded mask half 312A and the second folded mask half 312B is suitably configured for placement across the wearer's face. The wearer then secures the mask to the wearer's face, such as by joining the two mask halves by utilizing a joining member, such as a hook and loop fastener.
Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, the mask may be folded flatly into the back portion of the collar. Once the collar is folded up from the shoulders, the mask may be further deployed by folding it out from the collar, and suitably wrapping and securing it around the face of the wearer. Furthermore, in some embodiments, once the mask is folded out it can have wings that can be selectably unfolded by the wearer to increase the coverage of the mask. Example wings in accordance with one embodiment are shown in
In accordance with the present disclosure, the mask can wrap around the face, as opposed to being pulled upward from the front of the collar. As disclosed herein, the mask can have left and right sides that can require attachment to each other in the front attachment technique, such as using a zipper, a button, a hook and loop fastener, and so further. The mask can be a fabric material, a nonwoven material, a breathable polymer, and combinations thereof.
Furthermore, the dimensions of masks in accordance with the present disclosure can be adjustable to fit different size faces. In some embodiments, the mask may be attached to ears with loops. In other embodiments, the mask may be attached to ears with slits cut into the side of the mask. In some implementations, the mask can cover the wearer's ears when in the deployed position. The mask can also include a pouch or dual pouches in a front region to hold a filter, which can be a removable filter.
When the user wishes to stow the mask, the mask can be returned to the storage position in the collar. In some embodiments, it can be returned to the collar pocket or pouch. In other embodiments, it can be stowed by rolling it back into the collar or folding it back into the collar in a flat storage configuration. In some embodiments, the mask can be secured under the back of the collar by a closure, such as a snap, a hook and loop fastener, or other suitable fastener. In some embodiments, a masks in accordance with the present disclosure can be retrofitted to an existing collared garment.
In any of the above-disclosed embodiments the mask of the garment can optionally include various components useful for improving mask performance. For example, referring to
These and other embodiments of the systems and methods can be used as would be recognized by those skilled in the art. The above descriptions of various systems and methods are intended to illustrate specific examples and describe certain ways of making and using the systems disclosed and described here. These descriptions are neither intended to be nor should be taken as an exhaustive list of the possible ways in which these systems can be made and used. A number of modifications, including substitutions of systems between or among examples and variations among combinations can be made. Those modifications and variations should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in this area after having read this disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 63/056,894, filed on Jul. 27, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
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Product information—“New! Forest Green Long Sleeve DuNOPLs-T”; retrieved from https://www.dus-tshirt.com on Aug. 17, 2021. 3 pages. |
Product information—Koofin Gear—Fishing Hoodie with Face Mask Sunblock Shirt Hooded Long Sleeve with Drawstrings Pocket; retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Fishing-Hoodie-Sunblock-Drawstrings/dp/B07R4Z764Y on Sep. 21, 2021. 1 page. |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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63056894 | Jul 2020 | US |