Patent Application
20230363479
The present invention relates generally to face shield devices and more particularly to face shield devices comprising a single lens piece that conforms to the curvature at approximately the midpoint of the wearer's frontal bone extending bilaterally around the wearer's face towards the temporal bones. In preferred embodiments, the face shield devices comprise a single lens piece (i.e., one piece) that is removably, or permanently, attached to a one piece substantially u-shaped supporting frame member through a plurality of attachment points (e.g., press fit tapered knobs). The present face shield protects the wearer's eyes, nose, mouth, and ears from direct as well as arching splashes, sprays, spatters and droplets of various liquid and semiliquid materials, and more particularly, from biological derived materials, liquids, and semiliquid materials, such as saliva, blood, mucus (e.g., nasal discharge and rhinorrhea), urine, and the like.
Use of protective eyewear in infectious environments, such as hospitals and operating rooms, emergency medicine stations, field hospitals, dental practices, first response situations, and the like is imperative to protect clinicians and other first responders from exposure to hazardous and even infectious agents. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 1910.1030 (d)(x) requires employees to wear protective masks and eyewear whenever splashes, sprays, spatters, or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials may be generated and eye, nose, or mouth contamination can be reasonably anticipated. The regulations require the eyewear be either full length face shields or glasses or goggles with solid side shields. Preferably protective eyewear and face shields should comply with requirements such as those specified under ANSI Z87.1-2015 Secs. (5) and (8.1.2) et seq., and similar requirements to provide appropriate levels of protection.
Many healthcare supply manufacturers have made and sold goggles and masks; however, these devices are typically prone to fogging, are generally bulky, and are costly. Existing face shield products can be uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time creating the risks that the wearer may subconsciously, or even purposefully, decide to take off or avoid wearing the face shield or mask device thus increasing their risk of exposure to infectious materials. Considering these risks, use of disposable protective face shields is becoming more prevalent in environments containing infectious materials.
Existing disposable glasses and face shields typical consist of numerous pieces when a protective shield is attached to a rigid frame. After use, the shield or lens elements must be disposed of in order to ensure a sanitary environment, although the frame can sometimes be sterilized and reused.
Other low cost disposable eyewear products typically consist of a removable shield that slides on and off the frame through holes in the sides of the shield. While this does provide a cost effective solution, the holes perforated in the shield allow for passage of infectious materials through the eyewear and onto the face or into the eye because they do not self seal. This raises issues with respect to OSHA compliance. Another hazard presented by known disposable eyewear is an opening directly above the eyes between the wearer's forehead and the frame of the eyewear. This exposes the wearer to arching splatters and sprays that may come from above the sightline of the wearer.
What is needed are easily assembled face shields that provide the wearer with top down as well as wrap around protection for their eyes, nose, mouth from sprays, splashes, and the like, that are lightweight and comfortable to wear.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily presented in scale, like numerals describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from consideration of detailed description and the illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.
The present invention relates generally to face shield devices and more particularly to face shield devices comprising a single lens piece that conforms to the curvature at approximately the midpoint of wearer's frontal bone extending bilaterally around the wearer's face towards the temporal bones. In preferred embodiments, the face shield devices comprise a single lens piece (i.e., one piece) that is removably, or permanently, attached to a one piece substantially u-shaped supporting frame member through a plurality of attachment points (e.g., press fit tapered knobs). The present face shield protects the wearer's eyes, nose, mouth, and ears from direct as well as arching splashes, sprays, spatters and droplets of various liquid and semiliquid materials, and more particularly, from biological derived materials, liquids, and semiliquid materials, such as saliva, blood, mucus (e.g., nasal discharge and rhinorrhea), urine, and the like.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a molded plastic frame is made in a substantially U-shaped design. Two bends at the closed end of the frame have guards extending from the frame inward that will rest against the forehead of the wearer. The outside of the frame contains projections intermittently spaced which engage with mating structures on a lens piece, attaching the lens piece to the frame to protect the eyes and face. It is coated on both sides (optionally) with an anti-fogging material. A colored band may be built into the top of the lens piece for easy gripping and identification. The top of the shield contains the mating structures in the form of small holes intermittently spaced that snap over the projections on the outside of the frame to attach the shield to the frame that are substantially self sealing when properly aligned and affixed together.
In addition to maximizing protection, the present invention presents eyewear with a disposable shield that is OSHA compliant with no holes or perforations in the side shields. Advantages of the present invention include, in various embodiments thereof, include but are not limited to, provision of eye protection that is compliant with OSHA standards. There are no exposure holes in the lens piece through which infectious materials may pass. The lens piece is held in place by use of a tapered knob that attaches it to the frame without damaging the lens or creating any opening. The protective eyewear according to the present invention eliminates exposure points around the eyes and temples of the wearer.
Another advantageous feature is the present invention provides a cost effective solution to protective eyewear by utilizing disposable eye and face shields while being able to re-use the frames.
Yet an additional advantage of the present invention is the creation of space between the wearer's eyes and the face shield sufficient to permit the wearing of typical prescription glasses under the protective eyewear.
Another advantageous feature of the present invention, in certain embodiments, is the ease of interchangeability of the face shield. The shield snaps along the outside of the frame making it easier and faster to remove and replace when needed without creating fingerprints or smudges on the face shield. The positioning of the tapered knob and the angle of the lens due to the use of the bridge on the frame results in a lens angle that substantially eliminates glare. The frame is wide on the outside near the temples which naturally conforms to the curvature of the head reducing pressure (e.g., pressure points).
In preferred embodiments, another principle advantage is the unique one piece flat lens piece that is easily creased and then removably mounted to the frame using a stud and mating hole design such that a wraparound enclosure of the wearer's face extending from temple to temple is created having conforming to the curvature of the wearer's forehead with substantially no gaps. The overall shape of the face shield when deployed by the wearer is such that the wearer is protected from direct as well as arching (top-down) splashes, sprays, splatters or droplets of various liquid and semi liquid materials, and more particularly, from biological derived materials liquid and semi liquid materials such as saliva, blood, mucus (e.g., nasal discharge and rhinorrhea), cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, urine, and the like. Various embodiments of the lens piece of the face shield vary in vertical length and are suitable for providing: 1) eye protection; 2) providing eye and nose protection; 3) providing eye, nose, and mouth protection; to 4) providing eye, nose, mouth, and (partial) chin and upper neck protection. In preferred embodiments, the face shield provides complete, or substantially complete, protection for the wearer from the aforementioned sprays, splashes, and the like.
The present invention, in additional embodiments, further provides affordable, anti-fog and/or anti-glare coating(s) on both sides of the disposable lens piece that maximizes protection of the eyes and face from infectious materials, while giving the wearer a maximum range of vision.
That the present invention may be more readily understood, select terms are defined below.
The term “about” or “approximately” means within an acceptable error range for the value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system. For example, “about” can mean within 1 or more than 1 standard deviation, per the practice in the art.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. The terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” The terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended; that is, a system, device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Similarly, the expressions “have”, “may have”, “include”, or “may include” refer to the existence of a corresponding feature (e.g., numeral, function, operation, or constituent element such as component), and does not exclude one or more additional features.
Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” and so forth are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects and may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and do not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).
Also, terms such as “element,” and “component,” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one subunit unless specifically stated otherwise.
As used herein, the expressions: “configured (or set) to,” “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of” and the like, may be interchangeably according to circumstances.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within the range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Unless otherwise defined herein, technical terms used in connection with the present invention shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The meaning and scope of the terms should be clear, however, in the event of any latent ambiguity, definitions provided herein take precedent over any dictionary or extrinsic definition.
The terms used herein are merely for the purpose of describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless they are different in a context. Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical terms and scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is the same, or similar to, their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The present invention relates generally to face shield devices and more particularly to face shield devices comprising a single lens piece that conforms to the curvature at approximately the midpoint of wearer's frontal bone extending bilaterally around the wearer's face towards the temporal bones. In preferred embodiments, the face shield devices comprise a single lens piece (i.e., one piece) that is removably, or permanently, attached to a one piece substantially u-shaped supporting frame member through a plurality of attachment points (e.g., press fit tapered knobs). The present face shield protects the wearer's eyes, nose, mouth, and ears from direct as well as arching splashes, sprays, spatters and droplets of various liquid and semiliquid materials, and more particularly, from biological derived materials, liquids, and semiliquid materials, such as saliva, blood, mucus (e.g., nasal discharge and rhinorrhea), urine, and the like.
An embodiment of a frame for protective eyewear according to the invention is depicted in
The moderate inward tension exerted by the elasticity of frame 10 against the wearer's head is augmented by flared attachment barbs 35 at the respective ends of frame 10 on open side 20. The inside edge 15 of frame 10 is elongated and shaped to provide curved bridge 25 of frame 10 that contacts and conforms to the curvature of wearer's frontal bone. The curved bridge 25 thus contacts the wearer's forehead and provides protection from top down (i.e., arching) splashes, sprays, and splatters of liquid materials originating from above the wearer's sightline. The curved bridge 25 feature of the inside edge 15 of frame 10 provides a standoff distance for the bulk of frame 10 from the wearer's forehead that allows for the wear and use of eyeglasses.
In preferred embodiments, frame 10 and curved bridge 25 are not completely contiguous such that narrow U-shaped slits 26 are provided between frame 10 and the distal ends of curved bridge 25. While the present invention is not limited to any particular theories or mechanisms, it is contemplated that the slits 26 enhance the flexibility of frame 10 and curved bridge 25 thereof that help to lessen and better distribute the pressure exerted on the wearer's forehead and temples.
Frame 10 and the flared attachment barbs 35 provide a system that snugly but removable holds the device on the weaver's head. In preferred embodiments, flared attachment barbs 35 have hollowed center portions 37 that can be used for receiving an eyeglass retainer, neck strap, cord, or lanyard.
Frame 10 of the present invention provides usura snug but comfortable fit that minimizes or completely obviates the pressure points typically exerted by existing frame systems used to stay in place on the wearer's face and head.
While frame 10 of the present invention is not limited to any particular material(s) of construction, it is contemplated that frame 10 can be formed (e.g., injection molded) out of suitable Polycarbonates (“PC”), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer blends (“ABS”), alloys of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers (“PC/ABS”), Polypropylene (polypropene) (“PP”) (e.g., iPP, sPP, aPP, and the like), Polyethylene (polythene) (“PE”) (e.g., UHMWPE, HDPE, PEX/XLPE, MDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, VLDPE and the like), Polystyrene (PS) (e.g., EPS, XPS, and the like), Polyoxymethylene (“POM”), Poly(methyl methacrylate) (“PMMA”), Polyvinyl chloride compounds (“PVC”), and/or Nylon(s), and suitable combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments, frame 10 is constructed out of one or more Polypropylene compounds. In general, frame 10 materials are selected for suitable related to strength, elasticity, shape retention, lubricity or stickiness, availability, easy of manufacturing, cost, non-toxicity, and the like. In preferred embodiments, the frame 10 is made entirely, or substantially, from one or more Polyethylene resins.
In preferred embodiments, frame 10 has a plurality of projections 30 disposed around the exterior of frame 10 and along the closed end 15 of frame 10.
Now referring to
In one embodiment, as depicted in
In preferred embodiments, the lens piece 40 is comprised of a material, or materials, selected to provide suitable strength, elasticity, shape retention, abrasion and/or impact resistance, chemical resistance (e.g., such as to strong acids and/or strong bases), microcidal or microstatic properties (e.g., bactericidal and/or virucidal), ability to absorb or reflect certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation ((e.g., UVB (about 260 nm to about 320 nm); UVA (about 320 nm to about 400 nm); blue light (about 400 nm to about 500 nm); visible light (about 400 nm to about 700 nm); infra-red wavelengths (about 700 nm to about 1 mm)), ability to polarize visible light, antifouling, antistatic, antifogging, material availability, easy and/or cost of manufacturing, non-toxicity, and the like. The desired lens piece 40 characteristics, in certain embodiments, are obtained through the properties of the material(s) chosen for the lens piece 40. In other certain embodiments, the desired characteristics are obtained or augmented by the application of one or more coatings to the surface(s) of lens piece 40. In some particularly preferred embodiments, one or both surfaces of the lens piece 40 is/are coated with one or more compositions (e.g., superhydrophobic coatings).
The lens piece 40 is typically from about 3.0 to about 10 mils thick, in some preferred embodiments, the lens piece 40 is from about 4.0 to about 8.0 mils thick, and in some particularly preferred embodiments, the lens piece 40 is about 5.0 mils thick (where 1.0 mil is approximately 0.0254 mm).
In preferred embodiments, as further shown in
Accordingly, in one contemplated exemplary embodiment of construction (assembly) prior to use, as the respective wing portions are brought into general alignment (i.e., 41 with 43; and 42 with 44) a crease is formed in the previously flat lens piece 40, more specifically, wherein; hole 60 is mated with hole 62; hole 61 is mated with hole 63; hole 64 is mated with hole 66; and hole 65 is mated with hole 67. When the respective holes are thus aligned (i.e., 60 with 62, 61 with 63, 64 with 66, and 65 with 67) the now creased lens piece 40 is affixed to frame 10 using protrusions 30 thereon such that the aforementioned holes are slipped over the nearest corresponding protrusion 30 on frame 10 to obtain the completed face shield. In an alternative contemplated exemplary method of contrustion prior to use, the same general procedure of deploying the face shield is employed, except that one side of protrusions (i.e., protrusion 41 and 43 and the respective holes therein) are mated and affixed to the corresponding protrusions 30 of frame 10 before the remaining protrusions (i.e., protrusions 42 and 44 and the respective holes therein) are similarly mated therewith and affixed to frame 10 via corresponding protrusions 30. In still another contemplated exemplary method of construction prior to use, the same general procedure of deploying the face shield is employed, except that lower set of protrusions (Le., protrusion 43 and 44 and the respective holes therein) are mated and affixed to the corresponding protrusions 30 of frame 10 before the remaining upper protrusions protrusions 41 and 42 and the respective holes therein) are similarly mated therewith and affixed to frame 10 via corresponding protrusions 30. Additional methods of deploying the device will be apparent to those skilled it the art.
In some other embodiments the lens piece 40 additionally comprises a plurality of alignment aides, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in
In certain embodiments, the lens piece 40 is scored or creased prior to being assembled on the frame 10 as an aide to brining the eye shield into the conforming configuration.
Regardless of the method used for deploying the face shield given the concavity 80 at the top lens piece 40, when holes (i.e., 60/62, 61/63, 64/66, and 65/67) are aligned as described herein the two-dimensional lens piece 40 is brought into a three-dimensional conformation that provides a wraparound fit that conforms to the curvature of the wearer's forehead thus providing top down protection from arching splashes, sprays, splatters, or droplets as described herein. Similarly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative wing portions, holes, and hole placement as well as other parameters can be varied with in the scope of the invention.
Although the embodiments described herein describe a frame that is substantially U-shaped, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various shapes of frames can be used (e.g., square, angular, circular).
Although the embodiments herein describe mating structures comprising expanding holes (e.g., 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67) and projections (30s), it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other mating structures can be used (e.g., projections on the eye shield engaging with corresponding holes in the frame, VELCRO strips, adhesive strips, channel or slot fitting or the like). Additionally, while the illustrative embodiments herein describe projections having a head and a body having a smaller diameter than the head, one skilled in the art should appreciate that other retaining structures may be used on the projections, such as tangs extending from the projection or a notch on the projection for receiving the mating structure of the transparent shield.
While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be examples and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
